The apostle Paul expressed a number of conflicting emotions that were a constant part of his work as an apostle. For example, he wrote about his feelings toward his unbelieving countrymen, saying that, “I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh…” (Romans 9:2-3).
However, in his letter to the Philippians he remarked upon his remembrance of them, “always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now…” (Philippians 1:4-5). Later in the same epistle he talked of his having learned, “in whatever state I am, to be content” (4:11). He also remarked upon the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” that is the blessing of all who give their troubles over to God in prayer (cf. 4:7).
While these emotions seem contradictory, they are the expressions of a child of God who sorrows for the lost, rejoices with the saved, and has learned to trust in his God.
“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed — always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).
May we all feel the same emotions as those expressed by Paul’s example.
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