DON’T GET TRAPPED BY YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES!

“I, Paul, am a prisoner for the sake of Christ, here with my brother Timothy. I write this letter to you, Philemon, my good friend and companion in this work—also to our sister Apphia, to Archippus, a real trooper, and to the church that meets in your house. God’s best to you! Christ’s blessings on you!” (Philemon 1:1-3 The Message Bible)

Here is your Monday Short meditation! It really is short, not equivalent in words to one page in a published book. Smile and read on!

Paul was a Roman prisoner, and he had a lot that he could have complained about as a prisoner in Rome or even could have been critical of the Lord in view if his circumstances. Let me inject you and me in this meditation.

At times in life, we fall prisoners to our circumstances. Money circumstances job circumstances, transportation circumstance, family circumstances, other relationship circumstances, frustration circumstances, the impact of political maneuvering circumstances, disappointment circumstances, sin circumstances, and even circumstances in the local church, to name a few. We should be able to identify with Paul. But let us learn from Paul as evident in The Book of Philemon. Let us learn to do as the Apostle did and live by this admonition, “Don’t get trapped in your circumstances!”

In prison, Paul circumstances would be controlled by Roman authorities. He was not in control, but the circumstances were in control, seemingly. But even in prison, Paul was not one to be trapped by self or his circumstances.

In his letter, Paul states that He was a prisoner for the sake of Christ. Paul gives us an example teaching us not be agitated by our circumstances to the point that we fall blind to our duty and opportunity. He is in prison, but he continues to advance the gospel while he is there. He is not saddened in his circumstances, but rather he is sure, confident that God has him there, allowed him to experience his circumstances, trapped as one may view them, looking from the outside. But Paul was not looking at the circumstances on the outside, but he looked inside his being and he His purpose to continue to be a living testimony, in spite of his circumstances.  “Don’t Be Trapped By Your Circumstances!

Paul was chained, but he cherished the opportunity to advance the gospel to those who were against him, the palace guard for example, and he continued to rejoice in spite of his circumstances. He did not let his circumstances trap him in selfishness, looking out only for himself, wallowing in self- pity and tears. No, Paul remained faithful to the gospel, teaching and responding to circumstances at other churches and instructing believers for the betterment of the kingdom. He did not let his circumstances cause him to withdraw from his commission to preach Christ. His circumstances did not take away his job as a witness for the Lord. He did not let his circumstances cause him to alter the preaching of the truth or his trust in the Lord. He did not let his joy dissipate, squander, or waste away in his circumstances.

Paul was confined, but he was also confident, content, committed, and Christ-like, regardless of his circumstances. Regardless of our circumstances this week, let us make sure that we “Don’t get trapped by our circumstances!”

Let’s have a triumph week and add to our personal testimonies for the benefit of the kingdom. Let it be said of us, that ins spite of our circumstances, like Paul, we helped somebody else to live a changed life through Christ Jesus. Be blessed!

Committed to the climb,

Mark L. King