Bad Days for an Apostle

Paul was hit with a bad day while traveling in Macedonia. “For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears” (2 Corinthians 7:5, NKJV). This godly man confessed that his inner man was plagued not just by one fear but by many fears!

Indeed, Paul was no superhuman. He was subject to the same human emotions that we all face. At one point, all the believers in Asia turned against him, people for whom he’d given his lifeblood. He wrote, “…the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved” (2 Corinthians 12:15).

Yes, Paul had awful days. However, he never gave in to his feelings and the temptations that accompanied them. He testified in his worst time, “Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation. …Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus…” (2 Corinthians 7:4,6).

Are you going through a bad day, a bad week, a long season of despondency? Are you cast down and discouraged with thoughts of quitting? If so, how do you think God reacts to your trial? Does he rebuke you or chasten you? No, never! Paul states, “The Lord is never closer to you, never more ready to help you, than when you’re down and hurting.”

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). The Greek word for comfort here means “to comfort or encourage, to call to one’s side.” What an amazing truth.

When we experience bad days, our heavenly Father takes advantage of them to draw us closer to himself.