This one seems really self-serving of Paul. But...........
"Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.
I haven't done any of that.
I live pretty comfortably
Had the same thought as I sit comfortably on my couch, recliner out, legs up sipping on a hot cup of coffee--my big suffering was getting out of bed at 5:20am.
ReplyDeleteI find it hard to ask to go through the kind of suffering Paul did or to put myself in situations that might draw negative attention because of my faith. Yet I can understand how there is value to have to suffer and how it would strengthen my faith to go through a difficult experience. Our former pastor would preach on how the most spiritual growth comes through suffering. I don't think I'll be looking for trouble on purpose but maybe the next time I go through a period of suffering I can call on these versus to give me some strength.