Emotional Wait

Scott Beyer
05/09/23 - Bulletin

“But I determined this for my own sake, that I would not come to you in sorrow again.” (2 Corinthians 2:1)

            When the church at Corinth began to fracture, it fractured Paul’s heart, too.  Paul spent years with those Christians, and then while he was away, he found out that they were fighting with each other, encouraging sin, and not even remembering Jesus’ resurrection anymore!  It broke his heart to be hundreds of miles away and to hear of their collapsing faith.

            Paul had deeply-strong emotions when it came to the saints, especially churches he personally had been involved in establishing… but here is the key: Paul didn’t let those emotions control him.  He subjected his emotions to the wisdom of God.  Paul knew weeping and crying in front of all the people in Corinth wouldn’t do any good, so he made a decision not to come to them in sorrow.  He decided they needed time and space to repent before he visited them, and that way it could be a journey of rejoicing and not grief.  Timing is everything.

            If your emotions are overrunning you, wait.  Wait until you have a handle on them and then face the day, or have the discussion, or make the decision.  They are subject to you.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 2:1-11

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

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