"We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange - I speak as to my children - open wide your hearts also."
You think you have it HARD!
In this passage, Paul detailed his committed stand to follow Christ regardless of circumstances! "We have opened wide our hearts to you and you Corinthians turn away."
A great lesson for me in that I need to be firm in my beliefs and true to God and refuse to compromise His standards for living, in spite of the what the world thinks!
Reread this passage, Paul's hardships are beyond what most of us will ever have to endure to share God's message with someone. I have the greatest respect for the words of Paul; his faith & love for God Almighty was pure & genuine.
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