a life of pain and persecution

I do not believe that anyone would look at the life of the apostle Paul and say it was a life of comfort. Rather, it is pretty easy to see that he constantly was in a state of unease. He said of himself, "I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.  From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked ; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness -  besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches" (II Corinthians 23b-28). Certainly, Paul had many obstacles going against him. However, he said something to the Thessalonians that is very interesting. He wrote, "Therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord" (I Thessalonians 3:7, 8). In a life of pain and persecution, Paul said that the faithfulness of the Thessalonians brought him comfort. The truth is that the way we live greatly affects those around us. When our loved ones turn away from God, we suffer and worry. When our loved ones are faithful, we rejoice and celebrate. There are a lot of reasons to remain faithful to the Lord, but one of great importance is that through your faithfulness you comfort your brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us comfort one another

 

Garrett Bookout

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