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Do you feel imprisoned by afflictions and hardships that seem to have no end? If so, how can you stay faithful to God and His way of life?
Imagine for a moment you can see a few years into the future. You learn about a man named Paul who is deeply troubled. His job had disappeared as the economy collapsed two years earlier. Unable to obtain new employment and after his jobless benefits expired, he and his wife Stacy, who had also lost her job, could no longer pay their mortgage.
As a result their house was foreclosed on, and they were forced to sell or give away many of their possessions and relocate to a small apartment. Then it wasn't long before the couple exhausted their savings and had to move again. Now homeless, they are dependent on minimal government benefits and the charity of others for their food and shelter.
Paul and Stacy are not alone in their calamity. With the global economy in severe crisis, millions of others around the world also face previously unimagined hardship. Yet this fact does little to comfort the disheartened couple. Having been faithful Christians who had devotedly prayed, studied the Bible and attended church, they felt certain God would protect them from severely traumatic circumstances. But now they are profoundly bewildered and anxious about their dismal state of affairs.
Facing an austere future of poverty and adversity, Paul and Stacy feel utterly imprisoned by their harsh situation, which has no end in sight. Expressing serious doubts about their faith, they ask themselves hard questions: How could this possibly happen to us? Where is God when we need Him, especially after we have been faithful for so long?
We'll return to Paul and Stacy's story shortly, but let's first shift our focus to another man also named Paul.
Although he lived in a different time and place, he too encountered significant and unanticipated troubles. He too had faithfully served God and the Church for many years and then found himself imprisoned for a prolonged period of time-literally so, in his case.
Who was this man? He was the apostle Paul of the New Testament. Let's briefly review his story.
Being educated from his youth in the traditions of the Pharisees, a Jewish religious party, Paul grew into a man of steadfast conviction (Acts 22:3). Consequently, when encountering what he and the other religious authorities believed to be heresy, he vigorously opposed it and relentlessly persecuted its adherents (Acts 22:4-5). However, in about A.D. 34, while undertaking a mission to root out apostates in Damascus, he experienced an incredible vision directly from Jesus Christ. This miraculous event led to Paul's deep repentance and conversion (Acts 22:6-16).
He then spent much of the next 22 years preaching and teaching the good news about Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God. Even though he endured great persecution and many trials during that period, nothing really seemed to slow him down or halt his progress for very long (2 Corinthians 6:4-5, 2 Corinthians 11:23-27). But in A.D. 57, after having concluded his third apostolic journey, an event occurred that would effectively stop him in his tracks.
Interestingly, Paul already sensed he would face something unprecedented in his ministry. While en route to Jerusalem for the Holy Day of Pentecost, he told the Christians of Ephesus, "And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me" (Acts 20:16, Acts 20:22-23).
What were Paul's feelings regarding what could lie ahead of him? Did he fear the future? He continued, "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24).
Paul arrived in Jerusalem and within a few days faced virulent opposition from the religious authorities, who now considered him a rebellious, profane and dangerous troublemaker (Acts 21:28). As Paul was worshipping at the temple, he was dragged out, the incited multitude becoming so violent that Roman soldiers were sent in to quell the tumult (verses 31-36). The Roman commander then gave Paul the opportunity to explain his beliefs to the people, but soon they again erupted into a furor, shouting for his death (Acts 22:22-23).
The commander quickly ordered him to be brought into the military barracks to extract the truth from him through scourging (verse 24). But as the soldiers prepared to beat Paul, he pointed out that he was a Roman citizen. Immediately they withdrew from him since they knew severe penalties could be inflicted on anyone who even bound a Roman citizen without adequate justification (Acts 22:29).
The next day Paul was allowed to appear before the Jewish chief priests and their council to again try to explain his position (Acts 22:30). However, subsequent events led to further hostility (Acts 23:10). Fearing Paul could be severely injured or killed, the commander ordered his troops to shield him once more.
Now, can you imagine what Paul might have been thinking just before being rescued from the mob? Maybe this is the end! Maybe it is my time to die! Nevertheless it wasn't his time to die, because "the following night the Lord stood by him and said, 'Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome'" (Acts 23:11).
Although God revealed this to him, Paul likely never imagined he would spend nearly the next five years in Roman captivity. After so many years of freely preaching the gospel, establishing local congregations, working with new converts and training Church leaders, perhaps he wondered: Why am I restrained and imprisoned? Is my work over? Is God done with me?
Even though Paul might have contemplated such questions, he eventually came to understand the reason for his situation.
Writing much later as a prisoner in Rome he stated: "But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear" (Philippians 1:12-14).
So Paul realized that even while incarcerated, he could still be used effectively by his Savior.
Let's now return to Paul and Stacy's story. As you recall, they lost nearly everything and, as a result, felt utterly imprisoned by their arduous situation. However, in due course, even though their physical circumstances had not improved much, they were successful at conquering their nearly hopeless feelings.
How? By prayerfully recalling the examples of the apostle Paul and other Bible figures who faithfully endured and triumphed over what appeared to be intractable difficulties (see Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 11:32-40). With God's help, Paul and Stacy reestablished their faith in Him. They also took comfort in the Scriptures and the vital promises held out for everyone who remains obedient and devoted to God (Romans 15:4; Hebrews 11:13).
Perhaps we could say, then, that the trials of Paul the apostle and of Paul and Stacy are illustrations of the seemingly unbearable struggles we all may and do experience. Traumatic, unexpected events may tend to leave us feeling boxed in and abandoned (Psalm 38:21; Psalm 119:8). However, as the apostle Paul demonstrated by his words and actions, our Heavenly Father can be relied on for help in every situation, no matter how problematic or wearisome (Psalm 91:1-16).
Paul's example shows us that even though we experience difficult events and may not see the reasons for our troubles or any apparent way out, God will help us endure (1 Corinthians 10:13). Whether we suffer a long, debilitating illness, lose a loved one to death, see a career end much earlier than expected, experience an economic reversal leaving us faced with harsh financial conditions or any other similar circumstances, we can be confident that God will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
Paul wrote the biblical book of 2 Timothy while imprisoned in Rome. Even though he knew his physical life was swiftly nearing an end, he remained entirely secure in God's ultimate salvation.
Notice his words as he looked beyond his current circumstances: "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing" (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
Paul's inspired words can offer us vibrant hope and comfort when we encounter any difficulty (2 Corinthians 1:8-9; 2 Timothy 3:11). He encouraged the young evangelist Timothy to "endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ" while being "strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 2:1-3).
We too can hold firmly to those powerful words, especially when we face trials that appear overwhelming (Psalm 142:7; Daniel 6:27).
As we travel the road to the Kingdom of God, we may encounter significant dilemmas and troubles we could never have anticipated (Mathew 7:13-14). Yet the Bible is filled with admonitions to remain faithful and obedient to God and His way of life while seeking the "pearl of great price" (Matthew 13:45-46).
If you and I are doing so, we can be assured that God will help us complete our spiritual journey, even if we sometimes feel imprisoned by severe trials that have no obvious way out (Isaiah 26:3; Isaiah 43:5). As Paul wrote, "I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns" (Philippians 1:6, New Living Translation).
Finally, let us allow the following words from Paul to encourage us to remain confident, obedient and faithful no matter what untenable predicament we encounter. He wrote: "I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:11-13, NLT).
So, can you endure prison-like calamities, afflictions and hardships yet remain faithful to God? With His strength, assurance and guidance, absolutely.
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