Acts 21:26-36 NKJV

[26] Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them. [27] Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, [28] crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore, he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” [29] (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) [30] And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut. [31] Now, as they were seeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. [32] He immediately took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. [33] Then the commander came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and he asked who he was and what he had done. [34] And some among the multitude cried one thing and some another. So when he could not ascertain the truth because of the tumult, he commanded him to be taken into the barracks. [35] When he reached the stairs, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob. [36] For the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, “Away with him!”

Paul had entered the temple peaceably without any intention to disrupt the services. He, along with those who had attended with him, had followed the purification rituals required to enter. He had made no spectacle of himself... but he was recognized. It wasn't a matter of whether or not he had done all of the "things" right. He was wrong in the eyes of others.

Paul wasn't unaware of the potential consequences his presence in the temple carried. He knew that his convictions wouldn't be necessarily accepted by the Jews. He could have avoided all possible interactions by staying away from the conflict, but he chose to go anyway. Why? He sought his calling over his comfort.

My opinions and views regarding faith have been molded by my personal, intimate experiences with Jesus. The relationship that I have with Him is what drives my decisions and directs my intentions. I don't trouble myself with thoughts or hopes of being popular. I like to be liked, but I don't care to pursue the acceptance of others. I am not at all perfect, but the underlying drive behind every decision I make is how it serves God and how it leads me closer to Him.

Doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord doesn't always feel like the right thing to do. That is why I have to trust my faith over my feelings.