Just before I went back to my “other” job, teaching at Ilfracombe Academy, I decided it might be a good time to revisit a book called “From Prison to Praise” by Merlin Carothers. Praying my verses the book came to mind and so I took it as a prompt from the Holy Spirit.  I’d read it nearly 40 years ago when I first came to faith at university and a friend had suggested I might like it. It’s only small so I thought I would read it before I went back to school. It didn’t take me long as I remembered as I started to read it how “fast paced” it was. It is about Carothers faith journey and how he learnt the power of praising God in every situation.

As I read it again it challenged me and made me think about what the book said and what the verses in Philippians 4:4-7 were saying to me. I confess I certainly haven’t got to the same point as him in praising God but I am finding on those occasions when I do, that I see little openings of light into what have seemed very dark situations, or just felt lifted and supported by God.

Perhaps praising God in all situations is something we should all try more often, the Bible says:

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

I know it isn’t always easy in some of the situations we experience but taking small steps of faith is so important.