Information Related to "Paul's Example of Joy - Even in Persecution"
Beyond Today subscriptionAudio/Video
view Beyond Today

Paul's Example of Joy-Even in Persecution

Joy comes not from what happens to us, but how we respond-the kind of attitudes we have about those experiences. We need not feel like helpless victims of circumstance.

No matter what predicament we are in, we should ask ourselves: How does God want me to view it and feel about it? Then we can choose-with His help-to have that frame of mind.

A good illustration of this is the apostle Paul's life. If anyone in history could be excused for wallowing in self-pity and thinking "woe is me" because of frequent severe hardships, it would be Paul (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).

Before God called him, Paul was hard-hearted and angry, persecuting and executing Christians. But after his conversion, he was transformed into a loving and joyous person-partly because he understood the magnificent generosity of God's grace and mercy.

Ironically, of all the books of the Bible, among the most joyful are the "prison epistles"-letters written by Paul while enduring an imprisonment in Rome (Acts 28:16-31). They are the books of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. A man whom we would expect to need encouragement was giving encouragement!

Paul referred to his intense suffering as "light affliction" compared with the "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" that awaits God's servants at the resurrection (2 Corinthians 4:17; see also Romans 8:18). What a great attitude!

Paul wrote, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content" (Philippians 4:11). Contentment is a large part of joy.

Paul didn't tell us to rejoice only when the going is pleasant and easy. He said, "Rejoice always" (1 Thessalonians 5:16).

© 1995-2022 United Church of God, an International Association
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. All correspondence and questions should be sent to info@gnmagazine.org. Send inquiries regarding the operation of this Web site to webmaster@gnmagazine.org.
   

Related Information:

Sidebar to
Joy: Foundation for a Positive Life
Table of Contents that includes "Paul's Example of Joy - Even in Persecution"
Origin of article "Paul's Example of Joy - Even in Persecution"
Keywords: joy attitude 

Attitude:

Happiness: Key Subjects Index
General Topics Index
Biblical References Index
Home Page of this site