Acts 14:19-28

“They returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples …” (v21-22).  In Lystra, the people had wanted to worship Paul and Barnabas.  Then, unbelieving Jews had come “from Antioch and Iconium,” and together “they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city” (v19).  However, these were the cities to which Paul returned, choosing to focus on those who had accepted Jesus instead of letting the problems control the story.

Paul’s life was not free from disasters and trouble.  But God’s saving work was the centerpiece, the loving power able to work “all things together for good” (Rom 8).