Discouraged? Look to Paul

Be Strong, Be Well — Friday, June 26

So many things come along in life that could discourage us, if we allowed it. And sometimes we do.

If there was ever a time in our history to become overwhelmed with events and situations that could cause us to become discouraged, that time is now. Everything related to the virus is only part of the many factors contributing to discouragement. There are many personal struggles we all have that can be piled on top of everything else.

We often say, we can always find someone worse off than ourselves. Well, God gave us an example in Paul. Look at 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, which I have put in list form.

“...I am more: in labors more abundant

in stripes above measure

in prisons more frequently

in deaths often. 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.”

As I look at this list, most any one of these things could stop me in my tracks! Yet, Paul didn’t become disheartened or discouraged no matter how much was piled on him.

Dangers, hardships, and sufferings are common to all of us. We are challenged to be more like Paul, who through patience, perseverance, and diligence, was able to overcome without slipping into discouragement and despair. —Chris