The first disciples lived out the above reality. A prime example is the last chosen disciple. Paul’s ministry was pre-defined for its “suffering” (Acts 9:16). Yet the apostle Paul saw his ministry in this light—
“Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.” (2 Corinthians 4:1).
Ministry was God-sent. He also sustains workers in ministry, as Paul also attested—
“But we have this treasure (the Gospel) in jars of clay (characterized by human frailty and unworthiness) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.. We always carry around in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” (vss.7-12)
Paul was not ignoring the realities of ministry. He was offering encouragement to address the need by offering a Christ-centered perspective. Resiliency was the key…made possible through the Great Sufferer.
One way to view this valuable element of resiliency is to consider &mdas ...
