We Are Allowed To Express What We Truly Feel, But That Doesn’t Mean We Will Stop Trying
But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.
Acts 18:6-8, NKJV
Paul went to Corinth and preached about Jesus Christ to the Jews. Sadly, they opposed Paul and chose not to receive the gospel. Because of this, he decided to go to the Gentiles. He moved on and continued his mission despite the rejection that he received. He didn’t focus on the bad things that he experienced. Yes, he was affected, but he simply released what he felt. After that, he did what he was called to do.
In the succeeding verse, it is mentioned that a man named Crispus, who was a ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. He and his household were even baptized. This means that after the rejection that Paul received from a group of Jews, he didn’t totally ignore all of them. He remained kind to other Jews and didn’t hold grudges against them. He continued to share the gospel with those who were hungry and lost.
This reminds us that, like Paul, we will experience rejections, frustrations, disappointments, and various negative things in life, but we are called to keep on doing what we are called to do. We are allowed to express what we truly feel, but that doesn’t mean we will stop trying or stop doing what’s right.
May we have the courage like Paul, who’s willing to keep moving despite the negative things that happen in our lives. May we never allow disappointments to take over. Instead, may we learn to continue to serve God until He calls us back home.
Prayer: Father God, thank you so much for this beautiful reminder. Thank you for sustaining me with your grace. Please give me a heart like Paul, Lord. Teach me how to persevere especially in times of rejections and disappointments. Help me, Father, that I may choose to honor and glorify your name despite the negative things that happened. Lead me to your heart, Lord, so that I may be reminded of your great love and mercy. This I ask, and pray, in Jesus’ name, amen.
