Paul, having become greatly annoyed...

Acts 16:16-20, As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour. But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.

This poor girl was bound in a prison of slavery to a spirit of divination and Paul’s annoyance with her lead to her being freed from that bondage. The result will be a severe beating and a night in prison for him. He speaks of this elsewhere “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison...” keeping his eyes on the eternal weight of glory rather than the physical hardships. Peter, when jailed and under the threat of death, was sleeping so soundly that the angel who came to set him free had to strike him on the side! Are we able to view our circumstances with the same faith they had?

Lord, increase our faith; we give thanks that faith as a mustard seed can move mountains!

ESV Lectionary