This week has been one of upheaval for our family as we’ve suddenly been required to find a new home. Like I told a friend, this isn’t our first rodeo and I learned long ago not to stress about stuff like this. God always works it out and the blessings are always more than the trials.

I’m encouraged by the verses in Acts chapters 21-24, especially the stories of the Apostle Paul. These chapters tell about Paul’s imprisonment over a course of several years and his appearance before the prominent leaders of the time to “plead his case”.

It struck me that by holding him in prison and taking him from place to place, Paul’s accusers may have thought they were silencing him and the message he was spreading. After all, they’d gotten him off the streets and away from citizens who may be swayed by his teaching. Instead, God was using Paul’s time in bondage to witness to some of the highest ranking authorities in the land.

Acts 23:11 confirms the Lord’s hand in this: “But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, ‘Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.’ “

This encouraged me with the thought that when we dedicate our lives to God and to his service, we never have to be afraid of where we end up. Whether it be at a job site, at home, or (hopefully not!!) in prison, God’s directing hand will always place us exactly where he wants us if we allow him to lead us. Further, we’ll be encouraged and blessed in the process if we adopt an attitude of expectation and trust in his perfect will.