Paul In Bound Of Joy

Paul is one of my favorite characters in the Bible. He lived his life with so much joy and, honestly, set the tone for Christians throughout history. Paul lived his life so well that his story should inspire us all to live with joy through everything. Paul was a man of real joy, and he taught four vital lessons while in prison through the letter in Philippians.

Paul’s joy radiated through his writing from prison. He teaches the idea that in the trial there can be a victory. In the book Bound for Joy, it says, “Paul talks a lot about joy and rejoicing not the ‘I’ve got a wonderful feeling, everything is going my way’ kind of joy, but a remarkable joy that he could experience in prison when things were going wrong,” (Briscoe 2).

And through that joy, that he talks about all through Philippians, we get a cool picture of what true joy is. In the book Philippians Paul speaks from a place of what happened to me has brought this that has happened to me. Which today can be translated to “even though things happen to me, the things that happen in me are more important,” and that is so true, the things that the Lord does for you is so much better than the things that you go through to get there. Paul teaches that it is okay to rejoice in the midst of a trial.
Another thing Paul teaches us that we should pray from a place of joy. He says “in all my prayers for all of you; I always pray with joy” (Philippians 1:4). “He did not sit in his place of confinement feeling sorry for himself. Rather he thanked God for all he had done and all he was going to do in the people of Philippi. Paul could pray for this place because he fully believed that “things could only happen to him if God permitted them to happen,” (Briscoe 18). Paul also did not pray selfish prayers while in prison, he always was praying for others first. He not only “offers heartfelt thanks to God for those who has been loyal partners with him he also assures them that his intercessions on their behalf are always made with joy” (O’Brian 53) That is a big thing I have learned from looking at Paul’s life; we can get so caught up in self that we forget to pray for those around us, when a lot of times they are counting on us to be praying for them. “Paul had a ministry of prayer,” (Gromacki 19) while in prison.
Third Paul lived his life with humility in such a way that it also honored Christ. Paul was not afraid for everyone’s eyes to not be on him. He knew that the Lord was using his story to help others. He did not care what the reason the gospel was spreading was all he cared about was that it was spreading. He used Jesus as the example saying “He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself” (Philippians 2:7). Paul was mature enough to know that nothing would build on pride. Paul knew that the church could grow with him, but he also knew their spiritual advancement and maturity could not depend on his help (Gromacki 62). Prison, I feel, is the humblest place you could be, think about it, people already think you are in the wrong. “Paul did not sit in his place of confinement feeling sorry for himself” (Briscoe 3).
The last thing that Paul has taught me is the peace of God can be mine all I have to do is ask.

Paul writes “do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. and the peace of God which transcends all understand will guard your heart and mind in Jesus Christ” (Philippians 4:6 and 7). After reading a book on joy in Christ, I see that Paul sets up a way for us to get joy and peace all we must do is do what he asks. First, he says “rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4), Gromacki says “constant rejoicing should be an integral part of the believer’s inner response to both life’s pleasant and difficult situations” (Gromacki 104). Second, Paul says to be gentle; this speaks to just being in good relations with everyone. “if a person doesn’t have peace with God or others than they can never have inner peace” (Gromacki 104). Third, Paul says to be alert to the divine presence. Paul affirms that the Lord is near. “the presence or absence of inner peace will be in direct proportion to one's awareness of the presence of Jesus Christ” (Gromacki 104). The fourth thing we need to do is not worry about anything, which is easier said than done. God even says we do not need to worry about the necessities because that kind of worry can cause lack of faith. The last part of gaining Gods peace is to pray about everything. “when believers are controlled by the holy spirit they will manifest both joy and peace.” (Gromacki

101).
Paul is my favorite character in the new testament because I can learn from him. He teaches me how to live through the trial with joy, the way of praying from a place of joy, the importance of living a humble life, and how to gain Gods peace. Paul’s letter in Philippians and become a book of growth and the encouraging words he said to the people of that time have encouraged me.