One cannot learn the journey of the Christian faith, without at some point learning of Paul. He had no idea of the life God was preparing for him to live. For a time (when he was known as Saul,) the followers of Christ were important to him. He was not seeking ways to help them, but to bring them to what he must have felt was justice.
“And Saul, yet breathing our threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord,went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem” Acts 9:1-2.
In reading these words, Saul seems determined and angry. I do not think that he ever thought the Lord would use this same fiery determination to share with others a faith that would change the world. When Jesus appeared to him, his life and what he thought was his purpose changed forever, and though what happened to Paul occurred a long time ago, spiritual revelations can still occur today.
There are times when we may feel that a difficult or troubled person may never change. Their behavior may be a constant reminder of the unfavorable choices they have made. But it is not our place to judge them. We can, however, make it our responsibility to pray for them, and to wish for them better circumstances. Your friend, child, or spouse may be a “Saul” who may have their own “Paul” experience. Try and remember to never doubt the greatness of God, and his eternal plans which we may not be privy to. Sometimes, we must simply trust, pray, and try not to speak about them in a negative manner. As it states in the book of Titus, we are “to speak evil of no man, to be not brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another” (Titus 3:2-3).
Eternally Loved 