BEYOND THE PAIN
ACTS 16:22-26
ACTS 16:22-26 NKJ
22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed.
OBSERVATION:
What an amazing story. And I am not simply stating that because of the God-ordained earthquake.
How Paul and Silas were able to move past the pain of a severe beating and being tossed into prison amazes me. Talk about strength.
Paul and Silas were beaten with rods and had many stripes laid on them. Their clothes had been torn off, which further enhanced the punishment. When they were put into jail, their feet were placed in stocks. There was nothing remotely comforting in their entire situation. When the jailer took them to his house, he washed their wounds. So that indicates that with bleeding, hurting open wounds, and unable to move, they were locked down in the dark.
If there was ever a situation where two men could feel sorry for themselves, this was it. No one knew they were there. No lawyers or friends were coming. To say their situation was bleak would be a massive understatement.
But. But Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God. We could have understood complaining and singing the blues. But these two men were praying and praising God despite their pain and desperate situation.
I am so impressed with their courage and faith. Paul and Silas gave us one of the best models to emulate. Two men who honored and reached out to God beyond their pain. And God miraculously delivered them from that painful prison.
APPLICATION:
I don't anticipate many of us facing similar physical circumstances as Paul and Silas. But all of us face painful situations.
Becoming stronger spiritually will be our best strategy to help us move beyond the pain we experience in life. Rejection, betrayal, abuse, slander, reviling, sickness, injury and the list goes on. All create pain. But all these painful elements in life can be overcome. Not all painful situations can be avoided. But by God's grace and the help of the Holy Spirit, the pain does not have to have the last word.
And God still has the ability to deliver those who put their trust in Him.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Father, for this example of strength. Help me live beyond the pain in my life.