Raw Emotion

But I consider it necessary to send you Epaphroditus- my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need- since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard he was sick. Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have one grief on top of another. For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice when you see him again and I may be less anxious. Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with all joy and hold men like him in honour, because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me. Philippians 2:25-30

These verses are so full of human emotion and natural living. Epaphroditus was longing for his church family in Philippi, he was distressed because they heard he had been very ill. Paul did not call this childish.

Epaphroditus became ill and almost died. No amount of laying on hands but raised by persistent prayer and the grace of God who answered the prayer healed him. These times are more than common.

Paul is displaying his own emotion when he says: 'so that I would not have one grief on top of another. For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice when you see him again and I may be less anxious.' Paul anxious?

This great man of God was a normal human and had the same emotional struggles we do. We can sometimes take Paul's teaching as hard and brusque. Yet for all his forthrightness he is just as emotional as we. What made him different? Although he was just as emotional he knew what he must do, the path he must take, and went there harnessing his emotions and continuing the journey.

People who subdue their flesh can at times come across tough, give them grace. The walk makes them that way! Look for the jewels and enjoy them!

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