“A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them in the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.
Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.” —Acts 16:22-25 NLT
“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Jesus Christ.” —1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
Thank About It
DWELLING ON PROBLEMS CAN DWINDLE OUR PRAISE
Job after 1st test:
“Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground in worship. He said, ‘I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord.” —Job 1:20-21 NLT
Job after 2nd test:
“Why wasn’t I born dead?
Why didn’t I die as I came from the womb? —Job 3:11 NLT
Disciples tested:
“As evening came, Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.’ So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed.)
But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with His head on a cushion. The disciples woke Him up, shouting, ‘Teacher, don’t You care that we’re going to drown?’” —Mark 4:35-38 NLT
Paul prioritized praise:
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” —Ephesians 5:18-20 NIV
“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each others with all the wisdom He gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.” —Colossians 3:16 NLT
“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Jesus Christ.” —1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
WHEN WE PRIORITIZE PRAISE WE HAVE A BETTER PERSPECTIVE OF OUR PROBLEMS
“Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name forever.” —Psalm 34:3 NKJV
FILL YOUR THINKING WITH THANKING
“Your magnificent splendor and the miracles of Your majesty are my constant meditation.” —Psalm 145:5 TPT
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” —Philippians 4:8 NLT
Discussion Questions
Do you tend to lean more negative or positive in your thinking and outlook on things?
Studies have shown that on average, 80% of people’s thoughts are negative. Why do you think that is? What impact do you think this has on your following Jesus?
We looked at Job and the disciples as examples of how dwelling on problems can dwindle our praise. Do you have your own example of how you’ve experienced this in your life? What is it?
Paul prioritized praise in his own life. This is made even more remarkable by the fact that he lived a rather hard life. He experienced a lot of suffering and pain in his quest to spread the Gospel. In what way do you find inspiration in Paul’s prioritization of praise?
How do you feel praise changes our perspective of our problems, if at all?
What is a practical step you can take to fill your thinking with thanking?