Thursday:
There are good and bad ways to
deal with loneliness. Some people become a workaholic, devoting all of their
time and energy to work. They suffer physically, emotionally and often times in
their relationships. Others try materialism, shopping and buying and consuming
all they can. If you were to be put on an island and told, “You can have
anything you want except human contact,” how long do you think you would be
happy? Others turn to alcohol, drugs or extramarital affairs. Still others sink
into a deep depression fueled by their own negativity.
So what did Paul do to deal with
the loneliness? The first thing he did was utilized his time wisely. Remember
on Tuesday when he wrote to timothy and asked him to not only come to Rome to see him, but to
bring things with him. Specifically Paul asked for his coat and his readings.
If he was going to be stuck in a dark, damp, musty dungeon he was at least
going to be comfortable and utilize his time wisely.
The second thing Paul did was to
minimize the pain. Remember when Paul said that no one came to defend him, no
one. None of the disciples that walked and preached with him were there that
day when he needed them the most. But what did he do he shoes not to pity
himself. He chose not to focus on how he had been wronged, he instead asked God
not to hold it against them. He chose not to become bitter and resentful. We
all know bitter and resentful people. People who have been legitimately wronged
but who are unable to let it go, forgive and move on.
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