[SIZE=5]When trouble comes knocking, our first impulse ought to be — pray.[/SIZE]
I have seen my share of people suffering, living with intense pressure as life falls in on them. Some blame their hard times on others. Some blame God. I have seen some people go to pieces emotionally and others fall apart physically. But I have also seen believers take their burdens and lay them down at the foot of the cross. In so doing, they found peace that truly is beyond comprehension… His peace, the peace of Christ (Philippians 4:6-7).
God invites us to Himself, saying, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me. — (Psalm 50:15).
What, then, should people dealing with pressure do? Pray! “Is anyone cheerful?” Then let him sing psalms of praise.
We thank God for what He does, and we praise Him for who He is, regardless of our circumstances.
If one thing should characterize our lives as Christians, it is joy. And one expression of that joy should be praise. We believers don’t find our joy in what goes on outside us, but from what goes on inside us. Paul reminded us that the kingdom of God is not about any of those outside things but about “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
Prayer and praise always walk hand in hand in the Bible. The early church we read about in the book of Acts was a praying and a praising church. These believers prayed to God and praised Him when they were hurting and when they were happy. They prayed and praised Him when they lived under pressure and when they lived with pleasure. Even though they were experiencing tremendous pressure and persecution, they were a joyful people — and they are a splendid example for us. IhaveaGod.com