While the trials are happening, whether they span hours, days, weeks or months, they usually don’t seem light or momentary to me.

But that is how the Apostle Paul perceived his problems. Viewed through the lens of eternity, even the darkest circumstances can begin to lighten up. That changes our perspective. It also helps when we remember there is a purpose in our pain. It’s all a matter of perspective.

Paul and Silas were beaten and bloody. But right there in prison, they decide to worship. Imagine yourself in the cell. It is about midnight as Paul and Silas are praying and singing hymns to God. The other prisoners are listening in. “Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once, all of the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.” — Acts 16:26 (NIV)

God showed up and his power was revealed in the middle of their praise. It was midnight. There was no visible reason to praise God. Two beaten and broken men sitting in a dark prison cell decided to look on the brighter side of life. Maybe they were thinking “We’re still alive. God is still on the throne. Jesus has still risen. Why don’t we just give him some praise? Let’s worship him right now.”

And that is when the ground began to shake. The prison doors swung wide open, and their chains fell to the ground. God showed up in a miraculous way. It all happened in the middle of their praise.

What if the key that unlocks your miracle is found in the sound of your praise? We are called to walk by faith, not by sight. Do you believe God is working together for good in all things in your life? Do you believe he is refining in you the image of his son? Do you trust him? If so, as an expression of faith, are you willing to praise him today?

Given your current set of circumstances, you may have to choose to praise him in the middle of the pain. Praise might not come naturally. It will have to be an on-purpose decision.

We want to praise him when he breaks us out, but we need to learn to praise him even when he leaves us in. We can learn to praise him when we feel like it and even when we don’t. We can choose to praise him in prosperity, and we can choose to praise him in our pain.

Steve Greene is the lead pastor of The Point in Seymour. Read his blog at pastorgreene.word press.com or email him at [email protected]. Send comments to [email protected].