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วันที่ 3—บากบั่นพากเพียรเพื่อคนอื่น

อัครราชทูตเปาโลรู้ซึ้งถึงความยากลำบาก ท่านถูกจองจำ ทุบตี ผจญกับเรือแตก ความหิวโหย ความเหนื่อยยาก และความทุกข์ยากอีกมากมายเพื่อพระคริสต์ แม้กระนั้น ท่านก็บากบั่นอดทนผ่านความทุกข์เหล่านั้น ท่านมุ่งไปข้างหน้า ไม่ใช่เพียงเพื่อองค์พระเยซูคริสต์—อัครราชทูตเปาโลทำเพื่อผู้อื่นด้วย

“Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.”

Paul knew that enduring hardship created the opportunity for Christ to be glorified, which resulted in the salvation of many. The same is true for you and how you live your life. When you persevere through hard times, holding fast to what is true and noble, people take notice. When they see how you carry yourself in the dark times, they want to know more.

My younger brother showed this remarkably well in a very difficult season in his life. When he was in his early twenties, he and his girlfriend had sex outside of marriage. It resulted in a pregnancy, which they found out about the day before he was going to propose. They had made a mistake, but they had no idea what was to come.

Not long after he and his girlfriend learned of the pregnancy, she broke up with him, and he didn’t see her again until after the birth of his daughter. It was a season of incredible heartbreak for my brother. Not only did he lose the woman that he loved, but he also missed out on the experience of his daughter coming into the world.

What’s truly remarkable is how he walked that season with such faith and obedience. He walked a path of restoration in the wake of his sin, but he also found intimacy and healing with the Father. People who knew him—some unbelievers—took notice of his perseverance in the storm, and it all pointed back to God. His hardship produced glory to God in beautiful ways. I’m also happy to report that God redeemed that relationship, and they are now married with two kids!

I share this because we all have moments when we want to give up out of exhaustion and discouragement. But we can’t. We have to keep going no matter how hard the season might be. It will greatly benefit you to endure, but it will also minister to others. Your perseverance has the ability to point people to Christ, leading to changed lives!