I really enjoyed my study today in Acts 16. At the beginning of this week, the phrase "endure it well" kept coming to my mind. We all have things we struggle with in this life- whether it's personal weaknesses, addiction, the actions of others, illnesses- the list goes on and on- but no one gets through this life without some kind of trial or another. It doesn't matter necessarily what has happened to us or what we've done in the past- what matters is how we decide to act in the now. Will we complain, become bitter, angry, and react to our situation? Or will we become more patient, more empathetic, stronger, and more capable of acting with emotional intelligence? The choice is ours. We won't get it right every time. And that's ok. That's just life. But we can continue to improve with each experience, allowing our trials and struggles to teach us to become the best version of ourselves.
One of the stories in Acts 16 struck me as a great example of learning to endure well. Paul and his companion, Silas, have been directed in a vision to go to a certain city named Philippi (part of Macedonia at the time). They meet a woman named Lydia, who soon chooses to be baptized, along with the rest of her family and friends and they are invited to stay with these great people. Things are going so well.....so naturally that means a trial is right around the corner. That's how they do.
As Paul and Silas continue to preach around this city, they encounter a soothsayer, who makes her bosses real rich with her fortune telling techniques (three guesses how- and I'm guessing it's not through the Holy Ghost). She keeps following them, and finally Paul casts out whatever spirit is enabling her to do her divination. Once her bosses find out, oh boy are they maaaad. There goes the way they make their money! Furious at Paul and Silas, these men capture them, take them to their leaders, and falsely accuse them of disturbing the peace and illegally thrusting their beliefs on the local citizens. Then, without a trial, or verdict, Paul and Silas are publicly beaten and abused, and soon after cast into prison.
I don't know about you, but if I experienced that drastic of a change from- hey we baptized a whole family!- to hey, we just got beat, humiliated, and thrown into jail!- I'd probably be thinking, oh my vision was wrong, God didn't send us here. Instead of growing angry, bitter, resentful, or completely discouraged with the intent of giving up, what do Paul and Silas do while they are in prison? They endure this trial well: "At midnight, Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God..." (Acts 16:25) They were focusing all of their energy on God. Not on how unfair this situation was. Not on how much they wanted to go home, or not be in prison. Not thinking about, how could God let this happen to us?? We were doing everything he asked! No- instead they were thanking Him, and praising Him through song and prayer. What a couple of incredible fellas.
By choosing those actions, they were not only showing God their gratitude for all He did for them, but they were becoming more like Him. Their capacity to wait was increasing, their ability to love and forgive was strengthened- so much that when they were freed from prison (by the power of God), they reached out the jailer and taught him the gospel of Christ.
Woooow. Would you be inclined to forgive the man who had just chained you to the stocks? The man who'd been in charge of guarding you in prison, most likely who had witnessed your public humiliation and pain and had done nothing to stop it? I'd probably not want to be hanging around him once delivered from prison- but Paul and Silas do so much more than expected. Right when it looks as though the prisoners escaped, this man decides to take his life- but is fortunately stopped by Paul. The jailer comes into their cell and asks what he needs to do to be saved, and Paul and Silas invite him to come to Christ through baptism. That same night, this man washes their wounds from earlier, accepts the gospel of Christ, and is baptized. My goodness. Bet they didn't see that one coming! And it doesn't stop there- the jailer and the rest of his household are brought to Christ because of Paul and Silas's choice to endure their trial well. Had they choosen to become angry and bitter- they would not have had the spirit with them to teach this man and help him come unto Christ, along with the rest of his family.
Even though we might not understand why we struggle right in the middle of it all- it will make sense one day. The way we choose to act regardless of our circumstances not only affects our own lives on an individual level- but our actions, behavior, and even countenance will impact everyone we come in contact with. When we learn to endure well, we not only help ourselves - we help everyone. What a beautiful story!
I hope all is well with you!
Much love,
Emily
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