Read 2 Corinthians 1
12-14Now that the worst is over, we're pleased we can report that we've come out of this with conscience and faith intact, and can face the world—and even more importantly, face you with our heads held high. But it wasn't by any fancy footwork on our part. It was God who kept us focused on him, uncompromised. Don't try to read between the lines or look for hidden meanings in this letter. We're writing plain, unembellished truth, hoping that you'll now see the whole picture as well as you've seen some of the details. We want you to be as proud of us as we are of you when we stand together before our Master Jesus.
One of the things I have had to tell myself from time to time when going through a difficult situation is, "When this is all said and done the only thing I can make sure I get through it with is my integrity." I've found that you really can't make other people do what God wants done in any given situation. You can bribe, cajole, or even guilt people into doing something but all of those options have consequences outside of what God desires for living a life free in Christ. The only thing that we really have control of is the way we respond within any given situation and sometimes I wonder how free we really are because of the impact of our past experiences upon the ways we respond to people and situations.
Paul is celebrating here the fact that he has ridden out a crises with his head up and his integrity in tact. We aren't told what the circumstance were and that could be for the better because then we can insert whatever it is that is happening in our lives and believe that Jesus will carry us through that just as Paul was sustained through his time of trial.
Paul is celebrating here the fact that he has ridden out a crises with his head up and his integrity in tact. We aren't told what the circumstance were and that could be for the better because then we can insert whatever it is that is happening in our lives and believe that Jesus will carry us through that just as Paul was sustained through his time of trial.
Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:
- In the midst of Paul's journeys do you think he was ever tempted to compromise the way he lived his faith to make it easier for himself or others? Why or why not?
- Where in your life are you most tempted to compromise to make it easier?
- What does living a life of integrity look like for you?
- How might you encourage others going through a difficult time to hold on to their integrity?
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