Paul was set upon by a mob, then dragged from their hands by police. Falsely charged, he spent ca. 2 years in Jewish prisons, and was then sent to Rome to appear before Caesar. His traveling days ended, and threatened with death by savage beasts (2 Tim. 4: 17), we could understand his being depressed and feeling "all is lost." Instead, he wrote to the Philippians, "the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel" (1:12-21). He could write, "I rejoice!"

We do not refer to an artificial Pollyannaish attitude, out of touch with reality. Paul sought relief from his "thorn in the flesh" (2 Cor. 12:8) but when this was denied him he could "glory in my infirmities" making the most of them in defending his apostleship (vs. 7-11). He did not enjoy being forsaken by his brethren any more than do we, but he could "pray God that it may not be laid to their charge" (2 Tim. 4:16-17). He was confident that the Lord would save him.

Nor is this simply the SELF reliance, "indomitable ego" that is so highly recommended by psychotherapists. Human philosophies "plug in" to no higher source than man himself, and when society fails (as it does repeatedly) the individual despairs sometimes ends it all in suicide. But the "look up" attitude of a true believer in God removes fear of the future, his soul is anchored (Heb. 6: 18-20), and he "shall not be moved." As one rancher friend of mine put it: "Things are going to pick up!"