Romans 5:3 & 4 –
<3> We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. <4> And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
Paul is such an optimist on being at peace in trials. He had joy and peace in prison! How many of us could do that? We are not being jailed for our faith like Paul was; our prison time is usually because of well-deserved transgressions. Paul on the other hand was being persecuted because of his faith in Jesus. So where he is happy carrying a cross of unjust punishment like Christ’s, we cannot relate since jail is usually just for us!
Everyone likes to point to Paul and say look at his joy in tough situations and compare that to our problems. That is really hard to do for a few reasons, first of which is our issues are usually because of sin where Paul’s were because of his faith. We have dug our own hole and finding peace is difficult, we must first reconcile with God and then with others. Witnessing to other inmates about God’s grace is difficult when you are dirty also, Paul’s only crime was faith.
Also, let’s be honest, our faith would be so much easier to have if we had a “Damascus moment” and saw Christ. We have to slug through our lives having to link our past to our prayers and notice where God was active in the events. Unfortunately, the scientist and statisticians will lay this all on chance and coincidence. Of course if we did have a “Damascus moment” the psychologists and psychiatrist would have something to say. Heck we read these stories and many call them “fables” to dismiss their authenticity.
Finally, Paul had clarity in his purpose. Heck I try to figure out what my purpose is each day where once he had his “Damascus moment” his purpose was clear. I flounder around this world wondering if what I am doing is right and look back at my past to see all the mess-ups. It’s not good exercise kicking oneself in the backside, but I like doing it.
I love making analogies most will not understand, but sometimes I feel like Pippin. In the play Pippin, the main character was the son of King Charlemagne and kept looking for more. In the end, when faced with one final act of bravado, he realized a simple life was the answer. We hear great stories of faith and answered prayers, desiring that in our own lives. We try everything to have the joy and faith Paul had to no avail. When really what we need to do is find a clearing and watch God’s glory in the sunset!