Circumstances do not change what someone is, they reveal what someone is. ... and so it is written that as Paul was imprisoned unjustly - there was not a Roman that Paul saw at the other end of his chain.
Ephesians 3:1
"... I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus..."Ephesians 4:1
"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you ."Philemon 1:9
". I then, as Paul–an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus"
And so on.
Where others saw a roman guard at the end of the chain, Paul saw someone different. Paul saw Jesus as the One imprisoning him, and he was happy to be wherever Jesus had him, whether on the open sea or in a dungeon - violating his Roman citizenship.
So trouble comes your way, as it does for all. That trouble reveals something about the others that have neglected decency, but our reaction reveals us, and God is not interested in dealing with anyone else but ourselves with ourselves.
Why try to change the circumstance by griping and shaming the offenders?
Why not be changed by the circumstance and soften the heart by running to the Lord?
Griping and grumbling is a false idol that I use to evoke a change or control those that make me uncomfortable. You can justify it all you want, but don't ask me to join you. There is no justification for me (or anyone else) to complain, for to do so is a complaint against Christ who holds the cosmos together with His might, and Who permits whatever circumstance that we might wish He would have prevented.
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