Afflicted Or Conflicted – Be Joyous & An Example Of Jesus
Word-of-the-Day: ‘Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.’ (Colossians 3:12)
Sometimes, we just don’t want to be bothered. We don’t want to talk to anyone, or do anything for anyone other than ourselves. Sometimes, this is not because we want to be anti-social or go against God’s Word, but we may have a lot on our minds, or we don’t feel well – we are well enough to go to church and are willing to worship collectively, but with aches and pains, or something big in our plans about to happen in the next week, we may not be as outgoing or engaged to chat or talk to others.
Paul probably had moments like this; it isn’t mentioned in the Bible, but years of traveling throughout Israel, Asia Minor, and Greece, walking for miles and meeting people who did not always welcome him was probably a strain on his wellbeing. Over time, his Faith in Jesus allowed him to overcome these feelings and attitudes, though he probably had his moments.
This probably helped Paul in his ministry after he was sent to Rome and imprisoned. I know that even though I’ve been a Believer since January 1995, I still have those moments where I don’t want to be bothered, and don’t want conversation but to be left alone, and thankfully I’ve been able to overcome these moments, and I’m more thankful I have not been put to the test as extensive as Paul was.
Paul had traveled to Ephesus during his 3rd Missionary trip (Acts 19) and while he did not stop in Colossae he likely witnesses to people of Colossae and Laodicea, cities east of Ephesus. It is considered Paul’s prot?g? Epaphras, who learned from Paul in the roughly 27 months Paul preached in Ephesus, did the missionary work in the region of Colossae. Though Paul likely did not know many of the church members in Colossae or the members in the Laodicean church, Paul wrote letters to them, likely written while he was in prison in Rome in 62 AD.
In prison, we’ve discussed before the conditions of prison were likely depressing for Paul; the cell was likely dank and only had what people, like Luke, had brought him for some minimal comfort. Paul’s time was not taken up by TV or entertainment but waiting for someone, like Luke or perhaps Timothy, to visit him. He probably did not eat except what his visitors brought him, and personal hygiene likely lacked as well. So, Paul probably had many personal needs and his attitude on some days was one of depression and despair.
But Paul emphasizes he had Joy and contentment, though likely not happiness. He overcame his doldrums to write several of his Epistles, or letters. Some, like his letter to Ephesus (the book of Ephesians), were written to people he knew. Others, like his letter to Colossae (Colossians) and his letter to Laodicea (unpublished and presumably lost) were written to people he did not know, to encourage these Believers and provide them lessons on what it means to be a disciple of Christ.
Though Paul was likely in a depressed state, he practiced what he preached and wrote in Colossians 3:12. Paul had a compassion for people he did not meet, and would never do so. He showed them compassion and kindness, though he was likely feeling abused and forgotten. He had patience though probably suffering some anxiety whether he would receive a letter or even a visitor. This makes Colossians, a letter proclaiming Jesus as supreme over all of creation, and instructions to be the best ambassador of Him and His Kingdom, a letter written in Paul’s Joy in Spirit, though his physical condition and environment worked against it.
We have those days as well; we are not always on our ‘A’ game. Certainly, we are not in the conditions Paul found himself in, but we can find Joy and purpose in our suffering as Paul did, and overcome our afflictions to show compassion and patience to others, to share the Gospel message, even when we are not exactly at our peak. In the midst of hurricane aftermaths, with homes damaged, people took time to share Jesus, and many received Salvation. A person suffering from grave illness and in pain witnesses to their fellow patients in treatment to comfort them and provide Hope in Christ. When you are afflicted, and not in the best of attitudes, environment or health, double down on ensuring your example of being the image of Jesus and be compassion in His power, and take great Joy in it.
