When Things Get Worse After They Get Bad

by Chet Weld

Acts 16:19: “And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers. “ When this woman that was possessed with the spirit of divination and was following Paul and Silas, nobody knew that she was an agent of other people. She was working for her masters who were the “brains” behind the operation of the spirit of divination. The Bible says that the masters were making great financial gains through her. This woman was under the bondage of the demon of divination. 

 

But when the evil spirit operating through this lady was cast out, the woman was delivered, but her masters were angry. They had been operating behind the scenes before, but now they were forced to come out. However, they did not come out for peace. Their coming out was not to submit or to surrender. They came out to fight Paul and Silas. Paul and Silas ended up in jail but their imprisonment led to the fulfillment of God’s purpose and Paul’s mission in Macedonia.   What our enemies intend for evil God uses for good (Genesis 50:20).

 

The revelation here is that when you pray for deliverance from evil, there may be a time that the real forces behind your affliction will begin to manifest. But this manifestation comes with even greater affliction, e.g., Paul and Silas were thrown in jail.  That is why some afflictions become greater when your prayer becomes severe and intense. This is what is happening  when some people complain that the more they pray, the more severe their problems become. But if we do not give up, our problems will give up because the masters and sponsors of our problems must surely receive shame and disgrace.

 

Here are two good prayers to pray:

1.) I pray that every power profiting from my affliction be consumed by the fire of the Holy Spirit


(2) Lord, expose and disgrace every “master” who is masterminding my affliction.

 

Most of the enemies that come against us in this life are mere agents. Heartfelt prayers will give us victory over them, and their real sponsors will come out to be put to shame. Then the purpose of God for your life will continue to be fulfilled.

 

So why do things get worse after they get bad?  God wants us to fight the good fight, God wants to expose evil, and God has a bigger plan.  In the midst of trials and tribulations, we must trust in God’s timing for deliverance and in His goodness more than ever!

 

Keep in mind Isaiah 49:4 that states, “I will contend with those who contend with you.”  When we are falsely accused, “the truth will out” (“The Merchant of Venice,” by Shakespeare).    One final word of encouragement: “God works all things together for good to them that love Him, who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

 

Adapted from the writings of Evangelist, Mangeni Mathias, 3/27/11. 

 

 

You may also like

-
00:00
00:00
Update Required Flash plugin
-
00:00
00:00