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The Thin Line Between Pity and Empathy
When someone is going through a difficult time, you have two ways to approach their pain: with pity or with empathy. How you perceive their struggle ultimately shapes your actions toward them. At first glance, pity and empathy may seem similar. Both stem from a desire to care, and both feel like natural responses to someone else’s suffering. Both are valid emotions. However, when you examine them closely, a significant difference becomes clear. Pity occurs when you see someone’s pain as if it defines them permanently. You view their situation as hopeless, imagining that they won’t rise above it. In pity, you may feel the urge to shield them from…
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Welcome the Suffering
As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, the commander ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. He directed that he be flogged and interrogated in order to find out why the people were shouting at him like this. Acts 22: 23-24, NIV This part of the scripture marked the start of Paul’s ministry while in chains. After this moment, he will defend himself to different authorities and will spend the rest of his time as a prisoner. This must’ve been the reason why the other disciples tried to stop him from going to Jerusalem. They were weeping for him. But then…
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Worship In The Midst Of Suffering
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. Acts 16: 25:26, NIV Paul and Silas were suffering in prison when they experienced a supernatural move from God. In the midst of discomfort and darkness, they chose to pray and worship God. They didn’t focus on the negative things that they went through. Instead, they set their eyes on Him and chose to praise Him. What they did became a source…
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Paul Went Through Many Challenges, But He Never Gave Up
The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Acts 16:22-23, NIV When Paul cast out the evil spirit inside a woman, a group of people complained and attacked them because their hope of making money was gone. Because of this, Paul and Silas were beaten with rods and severely flogged. Aside from that, they were also thrown into prison. Indeed, doing God’s will was not smooth and comfortable, especially in Paul’s life. There were instances when…
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Being Faithful In The Midst Of Suffering
Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. Acts 16:1-2, NIV The first time Paul visited Lystra, he was stoned and greatly persecuted. It wasn’t an easy journey for him. In Acts 14:19, it was written, “Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.” If these people thought that Paul was dead, then it was evident that he was in great pain. But…
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We Are Not Only Forgiven, But We Are Also Justified In Him
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. Acts 13: 38-39, NIV We are forgiven not because of the good things we did and the price we paid. But it’s all because of Jesus. This forgiveness wasn’t just paid out of convenience, but it was birthed out of suffering. The man who loved us died on the cross to save us. This is a hard pill to swallow, especially when you are the kind of…
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We are not Exempted
They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. Acts 5:18, NIV When Peter and John continued to preach the gospel after Jesus’ resurrection, the early church received the anointing of the Holy Spirit. They witnessed a lot of miracles. Their numbers increased, and they were given the chance to tangibly feel God’s presence. The glory of God was so evident. Even the apostles received supernatural boldness and strength to preach the gospel. But despite God’s presence, the apostles were still arrested and put in public jail. There were people who found their message disturbing. They were jealous, maybe because of the respect that the apostle had received…
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Romans 5:3-4, NIV
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5: 3-4, NIV You can glorify God even in the midst of suffering. If you will just remain faithful to Him, the difficulties that you experience will produce perseverance, and that perseverance will develop your character, and that character will lead you to greater hope. So if God allowed you to go through some struggles, then don’t take it as something that is against Him. He is just giving you the opportunity to grow and prosper. You may not appreciate what He allowed you to experience for…
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Acts 21: 35-36, NIV
When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!” Acts 21: 35-36, NIV This is what happened to Paul when He reached Jerusalem. The people persecuted Him and treated Him as if He was a sinner who did things against God’s will. He received harsh words. The crowd followed and kept shouting at him. Soldiers are carrying Him, and He has already experienced violence. Paul’s suffering is not easy. And the amazing thing about this is He knew all about these things. The Holy Spirit already informed Him…
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Acts 7:59-60, NIV
When they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7:59-60, NIV Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit when He shared Jesus. People don’t want to hear Him. That’s why they accused and put false charges against Him. But despite what Stephen experienced, He continued to glorify Jesus. People were stoning Him, and He was in so much pain. But he chose to surrender his Spirit to our Savior. Not only that, He also asked the Lord not to hold this…
