Certainly, holiday times come with a wide range of emotions, as those who experience it. It offers joy and laughter and peace. While others are enjoying the holidays, it can also be a time of being him down, unhappy, and bewildered. Let us take note of the great Apostle Paul. He experienced physical and emotional traumas over and over. Yet he has many words of encouragement for us.
As he ministered to others, he admitted, “We are pressed on every side, yet not strange; perplexed, yet not to despair; pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroy it; always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” (Philippians 1: 3-6)
This was a man who was fully aware of his own humanity. Whatever came upon him, he refused to let it drag him down. Not only did he suffer he also needed to be an example to so many other people. He did not merely look on the bright side. He looked on the one who could make life bright. Paul made such a dynamic transition from being a persecutor who caused so many people pain and agony to that of himself experiencing the same. There are those who look to you either in admiration or dependency. You may try to put on a fake smile for the sake of others. However, this blog would rather have you to know what Paul experienced for the love of Christ.
Some might say that he lived a horrible life after being converted to Christ. He said, “of the Jews five times received 40 stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in pearls from my countrymen, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in labor and travail, in watching often, in hunger and thirst, in feastings often, in cold and nakedness. Besides those things that are without, there is that which presents upon me daily: anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble and I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, he who is blessed forever more knoweth that I lie not.” (2 Corinthians 11: 24-31)
Don’t think it lightly about the things he just mentioned. Even though he lived so long ago, he still was a human being subject to physical and emotional pain. You and I can relate to that some of which is caused by others and some of which is caused by ourselves. On any given day you and I could have an emotional roller coaster going up and down seemingly without any relief. This shouts down through the ages the greatest, triumphant, bringing shouts of thanksgiving. He has said, “thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Corinthians 15: 57)
None of us are unique in the anxieties of life. In any way that we can be unique is how we respond to those anxieties. We must keep in mind that this temporary walk we are on is in all certainty temporary. Concentrate on the choice of salvation. Turn your attention to the glory that Jesus has over sin and distress. Celebrate his resurrection as a promise for your own someday. Experience your pain in a new way. Allow it to be a testimony to others that through Jesus you will never, never be defeated. You are God’s own. This is not a matter of persecution by life’s events. It is more an opportunity to rejoice in victory. It is ours here and for eternity. Even those who died in the Roman arena at the hand of gladiators and lions did so with devotion and glory in their minds looking toward our beloved Savior. Celebrate your salvation every day as more than what is happening to you at this moment. Give thanks to God that you have the opportunity to display his joy before others regardless of what would be thrown at you at any given moment!
Christian Writer 