Was God with Paul during his ministry?
“Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.”
II Corinthians 11:24-27
Does this change our answer?
We all have trials that we endure, but they can build our faith if we rely on God to see us through. Beware though, Satan will use whatever he can to destroy our faith in God. (Luke 22:31-32) When we pray for God to strengthen our faith he gives us opportunities for our faith to be strengthened. When we pray for patience God gives us opportunities to grow patience.
Jesus didn’t pray that Peter would be spared the difficulty of denying Christ, but that His faith would be strengthened, and through this Peter could in turn strengthen His brothers.
When God gives us trials our faith is made stronger. This refined faith equips us to walk with others in their trials. God equips each of us uniquely to minister to the needs of His people.
Scott Siebert
Highland Village Church of Christ 2018