The Prisons of Our Lives

This passage records the last words of Apostle Paul and it is sad that he was not accompanied or comforted by his fellow followers. However, in his ending time he was not discouraged or bitter that his comrades left him. Even in his last days Paul did not panic and he did not bad mouth his peers even though they deserted him or he sent them away.

Can we be as calm as he his; at peace with the world when we feel abandoned or when we feel cornered? Paul was cornered by the Roman Empire, abandoned by his companions but he did not complain. Instead he relied on God and gained strength "so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it." (v. 17) He did not cower in the face of authority but stood ground with the real authority in his life: God. He did not compromise his beliefs for his own safety and was even thrown to the lions (literally or not) and survived.

Whether or not we were jailed or put on trial, we are put through trials in our Christian life and I only hope I can deal with them as calm as Paul did, and if I even had half the forgiveness, I wish i had more.

Being human, we are selfish, prideful, and vengeful. When we are in fights with others we often tend to think of ourselves - be subjective. To do what Paul did requires love, faith, and a big heart - all being able to grow within him by God.

Reading this, I am challenged to meet every trial, attack, argument and decision with the peace and calmness Paul had. He was not bitter towards Demas because he "loved the world" more.. I do not want to be bitter or make things worse. I think it is a learning experience and one day everyone is going to have to go through it.. we should just remember God's love.