Acts 28:11-15 NKJV

Acts 28:11-15 NKJV

[11] After three months, we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island. [12] And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days. [13] From there, we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day, the south wind blew; and the next day, we came to Puteoli, [14] where we found brethren and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome. [15] And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

If you consider all Paul dealt with, it's pretty easy to understand that he must have been terribly discouraged. He was beaten by people AND rough seas. He survived a horrific shipwreck. He was bitten by a venomous snake, and he was still nowhere near where he believed he was supposed to be. What kept him holding on to hope?

We all have moments in life when we feel like the whole world is working against us. I have seen, suffered, and experienced my own set of hardships and heartaches. I understand what it feels like to be stuck in an endless loop of discouragement. Every step forward is an uphill battle of emotional, mental, and spiritual fatigue. What keeps us going in those moments?

God isn't detached from our thoughts and feelings. Jesus experienced a level of suffering we will never fathom. He isn't far removed from our experiences. He is in them with us. He sends His people in the right moments, at the right times, to provide us with the love and encouragement we need. His people are everywhere, and His timing is always perfect.