I went to a fight the other night and a hockey game broke out. Does that sound familiar? Sometimes you even wonder why they play the game what with all the testosterone brandishing about. Boxing matches, wrestling matches, and body slams are frequent occurrences throughout the entire game. The commotion of hundreds of spectators didn’t do much to cover the sound of the violent body crashes into a solid wooden wall.

How many times has the enemy had us up against the wall to where we feel hopeless, beaten, and slammed up against a wall? Maybe Paul can put things into the proper perspective for us.

v23b . . .I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
v24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
v25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
v26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
v27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
v28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches [2 Corinthians 11:23b -28 KJV].

Jesus Christ, albeit God, suffered more than any human being in the history of mankind. If anyone had the right to complain about their plight and to play the victim, it was Christ. Yet He forgave us all and endured the Cross [1]. However, with that said, I doubt very much whether persecution has touched any of us more than Paul for the sake of Christ [2].

What did Paul do when the enemy body slammed him into that wall? Acts 16:25 says that And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. As a simple reminder, God inhabits the praises of Israel [3]. God’s presence is where healing, salvation, deliverance, and a host of other benefits happen.

We can learn a lot from Paul, even now, after 2000 years. What can we do today when we are in the midst of a trial, tribulation, or pain, be it physical, emotional, or spiritual? The answer to all of this is spiritual and by following Paul’s example through prayer and praise.

When we praise God in our battle it provides an opportunity for us to experience the grace of God, and gives us a chance to witness to others so that they may know that there is hope. Furthermore, when we praise God in our trial and/or pain instead of complaining, we get the chance to become someone else’s hero. Maybe even to the point of salvation, because they heard, Acts 16:25 declares. This honors God.

God’s Word teaches us that out of the mouth flow the issues of life [4]. When we speak positive and encouraging words, worship, and/or pray to God, He listens to those words and acts accordingly. When we speak words that fall out of the purview of God’s Word, like Philippians 4:8 or Galatians 5:22 and 23, they fall on Satan’s ears and then he will act accordingly. (Satan listens to our speech as well.)

When we speak, we put words into the atmosphere, and they will affect our lives both physically, emotionally, and spiritually, no matter if God or Satan hears them. The words that we speak are commensurate with whom we want to hear them and whose action we desire. Consequently beware of the words that you speak. Do not give the enemy a foothold [5]. Grumbling is not a fruit of the Spirit [6] and is a bad witness. In fact, it is detrimental to the peace, joy, and patience that come from the Spirit.

In addition, each morning, we should put on the full armor of God [7] like a good warrior must, because it IS a battle. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Therefore, will we honor God, play the victim [8], or will we play the conqueror [9] in Jesus Christ. This study is not all inclusive but it should give you enough Scripture to help you fight your battle and to somewhat understand the spiritual ramifications and solutions of the battle.

Remember that the best weapon is prayer and praise, that God inhabits the praises of His people, and to watch our self-talk especially in front of others [10]. We are victors not victims. Beware that self-pity and not casting down those imaginations [11] can lead to depression and physical sickness. We are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ our Lord. God’s grace is sufficient for us [12].

If anyone is going through a rough patch, I pray that this has helped somewhat. God bless you all real good. There is so much more concerning this subject in the Bible. All we have to do is apply what we read in God’s Word.
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[1] Hebrews 12:2
[2] Accept maybe the many people that Saul persecuted before his trip to Damascus and his conversion (Saul’s conversion Acts 9:3-19). Saul’s acts of persecution of others: Acts 7:58; 5:27-42; 8:3; 9:1, 2. (Saul later becomes Paul, Acts 13:9. No one knows by whom, or when, or how. The Bible does not elaborate.)
[3] Psalms 22:3. The Halakha (the Jewish law), says that when we join a Jewish family, we become Jewish. Therefore, God places those who become believers and followers of Christ, into the sonship of His family, subsequently making them Jewish by adoption, (Romans 8:15; Ephesians 1:5).
[4] Proverbs 4:23; Proverbs 18:21; Matthew 15:18;
[5] Ephesians 4:27 When we think and speak negatively, our adrenal gland will excrete chemicals (hormones) that causes stress. Stress CAN make you sick and even kill.
[6] Galatians 5:22, 23
[7] Ephesians 6:13-18
[8] Proverbs 23:7
[9] Deuteronomy 28:7; Romans 8: 31-39
[10] 2 Corinthians 3:12
[11] 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5
[12] 2 Corinthians 12:9