2 Timothy 1:12 “That is why I am suffering as I am.”

Paul states that he was appointed an apostle and teacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ ~ which has become the precise reason he is suffering. When Paul writes the letter to Timothy he is actually in prison and chains in Rome. Throughout the Roman Empire pockets of severe persecution against the church are beginning to arise and spread. Followers of Christ are being captured and either tortured or killed for the faith. Paul is stuck in chains unfairly and has yet to have the hearing he was to have in Rome.

Paul, in the midst of very dark and dreadful days for believers in general and himself personally makes the best of the situation. While in prison he witnesses to everyone he can about the love of God and the grace extended through Jesus Christ. His chains have not stopped him from proclaiming the good news of the gospel. And he continues to write and encourage the churches. Paul’s suffering has truly helped to further the gospel.

In America today we don’t like to suffer. In fact we don’t even know what real suffering is about. The little we face we don’t like. We could never see it as a means to proclaim the gospel-to further the work of the Kingdom. But sometimes when you are doing what you are to do, you still suffer ~ for the sake of the gospel.

You and I, followers of Christ, somehow have bought into the lie that following Jesus makes everything good. We think giving our lives to Jesus means we will now have all our needs met, have joy and peace at all times, and never experience another trial. But suffering is a part of following Christ. In our suffering, however, we can continue to spread the gospel by having the attitude that Paul and Christ had – knowing all things work out for our good because we are called according to God’s love.