Paul's Example of Joy—Even in Persecution

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Joy comes not from what happens to us, but how we respond—the kind of attitudes we have about those experiences. We need not feel like helpless victims of circumstance.

Joy comes not from what happens to us, but how we respond —the kind of attitudes we have about those experiences. We need not feel like helpless victims of circumstance.

No matter what predicament we are in, we should ask ourselves: How does God want me to view it and feel about it? Then we can choose —with His help—to have that frame of mind.

A good illustration of this is the apostle Paul's life. If anyone in history could be excused for wallowing in self-pity and thinking "woe is me" because of frequent severe hardships, it would be Paul (2 Corinthians 11:23-28 [23] Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
[24] Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
[25] Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
[26] In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
[27] In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
[28] Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

See All...).

Before God called him, Paul was hard-hearted and angry, persecuting and executing Christians. But after his conversion, he was transformed into a loving and joyous person—partly because he understood the magnificent generosity of God's grace and mercy.

Ironically, of all the books of the Bible, among the most joyful are the "prison epistles"—letters written by Paul while enduring an imprisonment in Rome (Acts 28:16-31 [16] And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.
[16] And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.
[17] And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
[17] And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
[18] Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.
[18] Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.
[19] But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.
[19] But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.
[20] For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
[20] For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
[21] And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.
[21] And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.
[22] But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.
[22] But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.
[23] And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
[23] And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
[24] And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
[24] And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
[25] And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
[25] And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
[26] Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
[26] Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
[27] For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
[27] For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
[28] Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
[28] Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
[29] And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.
[29] And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.
[30] And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
[30] And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
[31] Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
[31] Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

See All...). They are the books of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. A man whom we would expect to need encouragement was giving encouragement!

Paul referred to his intense suffering as "light affliction" compared with the "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" that awaits God's servants at the resurrection (2 Corinthians 4:17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
See All...; see also Romans 8:18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
See All...). What a great attitude!

Paul wrote, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content" (Philippians 4:11). Contentment is a large part of joy.

Paul didn't tell us to rejoice only when the going is pleasant and easy. He said, "Rejoice always" (1 Thessalonians 5:16Rejoice evermore.
See All...).