The 'Prison Letters' are messages to the faithful about what God intended the church to be and to do. It is a clarification of the church’s mission and identity. Paul is basically saying to the church, “THIS IS US. This is who we are.” Living out God’s calling on our lives doesn’t always lead us to the places or the situations we had envisioned. It certainly didn’t for Paul. Sometimes, like Paul, we find ourselves in situations where our initial response is “I don’t want to be here.” But God can use even our hardships for his glory and give us overwhelming joy as we live out God’s mission for our life