Becoming an "Atmosphere Shift-Changer"

Paul and Silas found themselves thrown in prison in Acts 16:24-31 (Read it). They were accused of "causing trouble in their city" because they preached Jesus. Now, you would think they would have stopped preaching about Jesus after they were thrown in prison. But on the contrary, "at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed"(Acts 16:25-26).

Just for a moment, consider how Paul and Silas must have felt. They were thrown in prison because they preached Jesus to the lost. They had every reason to complain to the other prisoners about their dilemma. Ya'll know how we get when we find ourselves in the same negative predicament as someone else. We compare notes on whose situation is the worst! But instead of focusing on their prison situation, Paul and Silas "prayed and song hymns to God...and the prisoners were listening to them." The prisoners didn't hear them complaining about how they were wrongfully accused. Nor did they hear them talking about giving up on ministry because it was too hard. And because of their act of faith in praying and singing praises in the midst of their prison situation, the Bible said there was a great earthquake and the foundation of the prison were shaken, and EVERYONE's chains fell off! (OMG!)

Paul and Silas act of faith caused a "shift-change" in the atmosphere that was so powerful, everybody chains were loosed. When you walk into your environment, are you a "Atmosphere Shift-Changer?" OR do you conform into the same negative and disgruntle atmosphere?

When we commit to standing firm in our faith, no matter the cost, we can change the atmosphere in our environment. Yes, your faith will be tested. But while you are ridiculed or wrongly accused, you can still change the atmosphere. How? You GOT to keep on praying and praising God. You can be an "Atmosphere Shift-Changer" if you keep your focus on Who's in control.

Sometimes this journey can be a lonely walk, but you are not alone. Refuse to conform but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). Commit to becoming an "Atmosphere Shift-Changer" so that those in your environment can witness God's mighty work at hand.

For His glory...

Written by Sandra Kelley 2/6/2024