Walking out of the jail, Paul and Silas went straight to Lydia’s house, saw their friends again, and encouraged them in the faith.   Acts 16:40

I have heard the story of Paul and Silas in jail when an earthquake opens all the doors but they do not flee leading the jailer and his family become followers of Christ. (read the entire 16th chapter of Acts) During today’s Bible study, however, something jumped out at me I not picked up on before.

Paul and Silas were arrested, beaten black and blue and shacked in their cells. When released they went to their friends “and encouraged them in their faith“. Think about this,  I don’t know about you but I figure if this happened to me I’d be telling my story over and over, showing my cuts and bruises, basically trying to make everyone feel sorry for me.  Not these guys, these two went to their friends and “encouraged them”.  Remarkable!

When my good friend Birdie was in her last stages of cancer I was amazed at her strength. It didn’t matter if she had just finished chemotherapy, you never left her presence without her inquiries into how you were feeling, and she always finished any visit with a prayer for her visitors!! I admired her and learned a great deal about following Christ and sharing the faith.  I only pray I can become just a fraction of the disciple she was.

Just like my friend Birdie and the apostles Paul and Silas, I pray I will one day be strong enough to stand firm and after an ordeal go to my friends and encourage them.