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Feeling Fearful

Don’t wait. Don’t forget. Not a minute. Not a second. Instead, praise God now. If you and I wait to praise God until after this pandemic—or after something earthshaking and amazing or miraculous happens—we’ve got the wrong order. Praise comes first.
Before the victory. Before the storm passes over.

Don’t wait. Don’t forget. Not a minute. Not a second. Instead, praise God now. If you and I wait to praise God until after this pandemic—or after something earthshaking and amazing or miraculous happens—we’ve got the wrong order. Praise comes first.

Before the victory. Before the storm passes over.

Doubt that?

Paul and Silas, in their classic Bible praise story, were bound in chains in the dungeon of a jail—their bodies bruised and bloodied by their jailers. But they still lifted their voices to praise God.

And what an odd sound. Praise in a jail. Sung by two beaten, bloodied prisoners. It wasn’t logical.

Not logical either during a pandemic. As a Washington Post-ABC poll recently showed, 7 in 10 Americans said the outbreak was a source of stress, and 1 in 3 said it was causing “serious” stress. (Further, 7 in 10 Americans were worried “they may catch the disease.”) Worldwide, with the grievous toll of sick and dying, the fear was real. A matter of life and death.

But as the psalmist declared, “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised” (Psalm 145:3 KJV).

And Paul and Silas? Their situation was dire. Yes, life and death, indeed.

Yet as the book of Acts records, as the apostle and Silas praised God, the earth shook (Acts. 16:26). “And the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!” (v. 26).

Praise is power, indeed. It shakes off what holds us—unshackling the prison of stress, anxiety, desperation, and fear afflicting so many now. But praise comes first.

When we’re bound—by stress, prison, pandemic, or any problem—in the midst of that pressure, it’s hard to remember we should praise God first, not after it’s all conquered, cleaned up, and defeated. But while it’s happening, praise God—yes, in advance. That’s the proper order of praise.

In fact, the word “praise” (which in Latin means “prize”) shares a root with the Latin word for “preposition.” As we recall from grammar lessons at school, a preposition is the word that comes before the main thing. Such words hold the “before” position— the preposition—setting up the main topic.

In our spiritual lives, praise sits in that same place. It holds the preposition, setting up God’s power, ushering in His Holy Spirit so He can move in our hearts, circumstances, and lives.

And no prison chains—and no pandemic—can tie down that power.

As Jesus declared, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV).

So, don’t wait for your chains to fall or your prison walls to crumble—or a virus to be defeated. Praise God first. Right now. Despite your circumstances.

Praise Him for being God. For His mercy. For His deliverance. For His hope. For His blessing. For His healing power. For His keeping grace. For His empowering Spirit. For His conquering right hand.

Then stand back.

Your prison walls are coming down!

—Written by Patricia Raybon. Used by permission of the author. Click here to connect with Patricia.

47 Responses

  1. Once again this brought me to tears. As I grow closer to Jesus I’m sure there will be more tears. But these are tears of joy thank you so much for these lessons

    Reply

  6. My husband was killed in a car accident in July of 2019! It has been devastating to our family. We are still in the midst of it waiting for a court date, because of the pandemic.
    But I praise God every day. Because he is good, always, and I know he’s got this. I will keep praising him. I know Barry is with him and I will see him again. God is teaching me to trust him as he walks me through this new life. I miss Barry so much. We were married for 38 years and he was my best friend. But God comforts me and I praise him for that.💜

    Reply

    1. Kelly, thank you for being so vulnerable and sharing your journey of healing during a tragic and devastating time. We pray for comfort over your heart and protection over your mind.

      We are so grateful this was what your heart needed to read! Thank you for showing up and being present in the GHH Community. Let us know how we can continue to be in your corner.

      Have you joined our women’s prayer group and let us know how we can cover you in prayer yet? https://www.facebook.com/groups/1065571583891975

      Eryn Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast

      Reply

  7. I believe this message and I’m praising God RIGHT NOW!!!!! In the name of Jesus. Amen. This message was sent to me RIGHT AFTER I GOT A MESSAGE FROM PROVERBS CONCERNING A UNCERTAIN DECISION TO MAKE. THEN AS I WERE RECEIVING WISDOM FROM THE WORDS, A WORRYING TEXT CAME TO ME ABOUT A FINANCIAL STATEMENT. STARTED TO INVESTIGATE THEN I READ THIS MESSAGE, TO PRAISE GOD, " FIRST." IT HELPED ME TO REMEMBER TO PRAISE GOD NO MATTER WHAT LIFE IS THROWING AT ME. JUST KNOWING THAT GIVING GOD PRAISE FOR EVERYTHING IS ALL I NEEDED TO DO. GOD BLESS THE MESSENGER OF THIS MESSAGE. AMEN 👵😵🙏🙌🤗💕👍🏾

    Reply

    1. Diana, God is such a good good Father. We aligns Himself in ways that is so affirming in times of hardship and uncertainty. We are so grateful to read this is what your heart needed to read! Thank you for showing up and being present in the GHH Community.

      Have you joined our women’s prayer group and let us know how we can cover you in prayer yet? https://www.facebook.com/groups/1065571583891975

      Eryn Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast

      Reply

  8. Amen, in good, not so good, in dire times, praise Him! Especially through the storms of life. Hallelujah! Everything that has breath, praise the Lord!!!

    Reply

  10. I needed to be reminded that Praise will precede our main topic of God’s power evidenced in our lives through the Holy Spirit. He will intervene in our circumstances. It is praise that paves the way for my prison walls to fall down. Thank you for such a graphic picture to show me how to deal with the difficulties I face in my marriage and my health.

    Reply

  11. Thank You Father for being our God!!! Thank You for your mercy, for Your deliverance, for Your hope, for Your blessings, for Your healing power, for Your keeping grace, for Your empowering Spirit and Your conquering right hand. I am eternally grateful for everything. I ❤love You with my whole heart. In Jesus name I pray 🙏 Amen

    Reply

  12. Always Love precious Patricia Raybon’s stuff! This one is such a blessing again of her beautiful encouragement to the body of Christ during a difficult time of increased fears for us all.

    Reply

  14. During this pandemic there has been no stress in my life, because I know who is in control! I know who holds my hand and walks beside me, therefore I have no fear! God is good. I praise Him many times throughout my day. He is always with me in all seasons of my life. As Christians, we have only to trust and obey!!!

    Reply

  18. I prsise God I am fortunate that the pandemic strengthened my faith. I can’t control what goes on, only God can and I have faith and trust in him to get me and all of us through.

    Reply

  19. Truth shared in a simple yet profound and encouraging. I want to remember to praise Him first and always.

    Reply

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When my children were young, I repeated myself—a lot.

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