Is It Worth It?

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10) 

If we are honest, all of us who preach have lived with similar thoughts to what Paul wrote to the Corinthians. Most of us have never been physically persecuted as Paul was, however, we can all understand being “afflicted,” “crushed,” and “perplexed.”

It could be the current crises, or some other difficult trial that you’ve endured in your ministry. Maybe the loss of your spouse, your child, or a parent. Maybe you’ve been fired before or been mistreated by leadership or someone else in the Church. Maybe you’ve had a child who has gone astray or you’ve “messed up” in a major way. Maybe you have or you are suffering from a major illness. Or, maybe you just feel afflicted, crushed, and/or perplexed.

You think Paul ever thought about throwing in the towel? My guess is, it crossed his mind. We know for a fact that the great OT Preacher Jeremiah thought about it. (Jeremiah 20:9)

So, what’s the answer? The answer for Paul, was first and always to remember Jesus. When we suffer for Christ, we are allowing the life of Jesus to be manifested in us!

A couple of verses later our brother is going to remind us, that even if we die for Christ, we have the blessed knowledge that the same God who raised our Savior from the dead, will also raise us with Jesus! WOW!

What does all of this mean. It means, if we live even in the face of suffering and adversity, God is glorified. It means if we die, we will be glorified with Him. That’s why it’s all worth it. That’s why the Apostle would say in another place, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain!” May God help us all to be able to say Amen!!