Under Gods Command
2 Corinthians 6:4-10 4) Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5) in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6) in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7) in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8) through glory and dishonor, bad and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9) known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10) sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
Being put in jail would cause many people to become bitter or to give up, but Paul saw jail time as one more opportunity to spread the gospel of Christ. Paul realized that his current circumstances weren’t as important as what he did with them. Turning a bad situation into a good one, he reached out to the Roman soldiers who made up the palace guard and encouraged Christians who were afraid of persecution. We may not be in prison, but we still have plenty of opportunities to be discouraged—times of indecision, financial burdens, family conflict, church conflict, or the loss of our jobs. How we act in such situations will reflect what we believe. Like Paul, look for ways to demonstrate your faith even in bad situations. Whether or not the situation improves, your faith will grow stronger.
What a difference it makes to know Jesus! He cares for us in spite of what the world thinks. Christians don’t have to give in to public opinion and pressure. Paul stood faithful to God whether people praised him or slandered him. He remained active, joyous, and content in the most difficult hardships.
Lets Bring it Home: Don’t let circumstances or people’s expectations control you. Be firm as you stand true to God, and refuse to compromise his standards for living.
Under Gods command 