3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.
2 Cor. 6:3-13 NIV
I asked a friend today where she gets her energy from. As a waitress working long shifts I know she is constantly on her feet. And I know customers aren’t always appreciative of those who serve them. She said she had gotten her inspiration from her son. She earlier in life had become a single mother. She knew that she would be the one who had to make things happen in order for her son to have a good life. She was determined to make sure he had what he needed. Than something unfortunate happened.
They use to watch TV together at the end of the day. One day her son told her he didn’t want to watch and that she should get her own friends. She was crushed! That which she had for so long as her motivation was investing in her son. She nourished him and protected him….and now he didn’t even want to continue spending time with her. Eventually, he moved out and didn’t communicate very often. She told me that for days she would just sit on the floor staring. She didn’t want to do anything. Her motivation was gone! She had fallen on hard times.
It’s one thing to work for those who appreciate you. It’s quite another to labor without respect and affirmation. Paul experienced great sacrifice to spread the gospel. He mentions being patient in the process. He mentions sleepless nights. He mentions beatings and imprisonment. He went through a lot! He even says that he opened wide his heart to those who he was laboring for in Corinth.
Have you ever had the wind knocked out of you? Have you ever been deflated because someone you sacrificed for took you for granted? I have. Sometimes students mock you. Sometimes co-workers spread rumors. Sometimes church members criticize you. And yes, many times are children don’t value their relationship with us. THIS IS NOT AN EXCUSE FOR US TO SELF-DESTRUCT!
I find strength from this scripture in Hebrews 12:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
In chapter 11 of Hebrews–often called the faith chapter, we learn that without faith it is impossible to please God. We then hear about the hall of fame of the faithful who have gone through so much yet held on in faith. So in chapter 12 we are admonished to remember this great cloud of witnesses and run with perseverance the race set before us. And then to ultimately remember the example of Jesus who endured hostility from sinners…yet for the JOY that was set before him endured the cross. The joy was this–Jesus thought that His relationship with you and me for eternity was worth the hardship of the cross. Hallelujah!!!
So if Jesus can focus on the joy in his vision of what things will look like longterm–us with him forever in heaven, and endure hardship, shouldn’t we follow his example and trust Him to give us the strength to be like Him?
I pray right now for your strength in the Lord! Don’t let hard times close your heart or lead you into self destructive behavior. Instead immerse yourself in pursuing a close relationship with our Heavenly Father! He won’t ever close his heart to you. He is love. He will give you the reason to get back up again.
AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!!