Therefore I desire that you faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory
What discourages you? I’m not asking whether you get discouraged; I assume you do, at least occasionally. Discouragement is a universal part of life, isn’t it? Sometimes, we quickly recover; at other times, we lose the will to go on as all our energy drains from our being. How can we overcome our discouragement? In this verse, Paul offers insights that can empower us with faith and hope.
When Paul writes this letter, he is languishing in the Roman justice system, waiting for his trial while under house arrest. He has already spent two years in prison in Caesarea without valid charges, and for refusing to pay a bribe. No wonder the Ephesians, who were close to Paul, were dismayed when they heard about his hardships.
In Paul’s place, I would have been terribly discouraged. Imagine the frustration of waiting year after year for your release with no end in sight while all your plans are put on indefinite hold. Yet, instead of falling into despair, Paul encourages the Ephesians not to be discouraged on his account. How can he be so positive under the circumstances?
Paul’s secret is to keep his eyes on the overall vision of his life. He never loses sight of his primary goal of sharing the Gospel. Nothing else matters. Thanks to his ministry, the Ephesians are Christians, and if prison is the result, then so be it. They are worth the pain. His frustrations pale in comparison to his joy at being part of God’s work to bring salvation to the Gentiles. Paul wants the Ephesians to realize their infinite value in God’s sight.
Discouragement goes hand in hand with our expectations. Paul must have had many that never came to fruition (such as his desire to go to Spain), but he kept his focus on his mission rather than dwelling on his disappointments and ultimately found the strength to encourage others.
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