2nd Corinthians 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
Our first passage teaches us that we are called not only to be light-bearers, by preaching, giving out tracks, distributing food, and visiting the sick and the fatherless. These things are very good, but the passage says that persons are also called to endure hardness as good soldiers of the cross.
This means that whenever a change of fortune, or a change of circumstance comes our way, that we did not expect, or did not prefer, persons are to take the matter to God in prayer, asking Jesus for resilience, and grace to deal with the change of circumstance. The reason why this teaching is important and even relevant to those of us who are living in a troubled world, is because like those who have gone before, we too may be shaken out of our comfort zone.
And if and when it’s disturbed, what we do at such times will determine the outcome. There are difficult days coming upon the planet, on multiple fronts. The excessive heat that the prophet Isaiah predicted, will cause adverse ripple effects across the globe, and persons will be shaken out of their comfort zones.
2nd Corinthians 11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!