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Courageous Praise

In the Word

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them (Acts 16:25 KJV).

Of the Word

“Hey, wait a minute, God! It’s not supposed to happen like this!” At one time or another, we’ve all had that feeling. Our godly hopes and plans shatter in the reality of job loss, financial woes, disabilities, divorce. We’re not at all where we want to be. In response, we can either dismiss God and sit down and pout, or engage Him in serious conversation as we continue to walk His way.

The latter choice takes courage. First, courage to set aside our expectations — no matter how reasonable and well-founded they were — and listen to what God tells us in His Word. Second, courage to separate our preferences from God’s plans, discerning His will in our present situation. Third, courage to invite His Holy Spirit to fortify our faith. Only in Him can we find courage to accept reality, control what we can control, and identify new ways to serve Him and His people.

When it’s not supposed to happen like this — but it does — keep walking. The scenery has changed, but your Companion remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Walking with my Lord

When things aren’t going my way, let me go in Yours…
Walk with me, Lord Jesus, in these troubled hours.
In Your name I pray. Amen.


Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 13/32 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible. Public Domain.

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