I am reading through Paul's prison letters and something hit me today... In all his words, Paul never seeks sympathy from his readers. He never wrote, "Woe is me... I can't believe God is allowing this to happen to me." Read those letters. He never did. I can't find it. And if anyone had the opportunity to complain, blame God, get bitter... Paul did. Chained to a guard, shipped wrecked on the journey to Rome, misunderstood, travel plans and missionary journeys taken away... yet, he wrote,
"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ." Ephesians 1:3
"I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God's ambassador." Ephesians 6:20
"Always be full of joy in the Lord; I say it again, Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4
No matter what happens, good, bad, indifferent... God loves me. I don't want to have a "woe-is-me" attitude. Jesus didn't die on the cross for our sympathy. He died on the cross to save me from my sin and to bring glory to God.
So as hard as life can be at times... God has my back. He's got a plan and in that plan is His love for me! I may not fully understand it... but He does! Paul may have not fully understood God's plan for him to be in prison... but he knew God's love was wrapped all around him! What an amazing attitude!
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