Alive Magazine July-August 2014 | Page 15

Think about it for a minute.... When you're going through your "Mid-night Season", what are you the most focused on? I'm willing to go out on a limb and say nine out of ten Christians, when going through hard times, are unable to focus on anything or anyone else other than themselves. So what am I saying? Am I suggesting that we are foolish for having an awareness of life-drama? Not at all. What I am suggesting; however, is that when Satan ramps up his attack on our lives that we should make an extra special effort to focus on others! Strategically, messing with your stuff is just an effort to STOP your forward progress in the things of God, the purposes of God as it pertains to your life-ministry. After being falsely accused, severely beaten, and then imprisoned, Paul and Silas had every reason to become wrapped up in their issues. No one would have blamed them for taking a few days to just wallow in self-pity and cry out to God selfishly. Instead, they prayed! But not just any prayer. I believe all of their energy, all their focus, was channeled towards a move of God for those around them. Why do I say this? If they had prayed just for themselves, when their chains fell off and the prison doors flew open, they would have jumped up and ran for the hills... (wouldn't you?). Instead, they were able to see the BIG PICTURE and refused to move until God rescued those who were in real prison... the prison of not knowing Him. What they were able to see speaks ٽ