Paul told of the irony in his life and his co-workers lives in his second letter to the Church at Corinth.  Christians may live a life that is misunderstood by others.

2 Corinthians 6:

6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. 7 We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. 8 We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. 9 We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. 10 Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

11 Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you.

 2 Corinthians 5:13

Paul to the people of Corinthians~

If it seems we are crazy,

it is to bring glory to God.

And if we are in our right minds,

it is for your benefit.

Paul and all those who were with him went through difficult times because they were committed to preaching about Jesus. In doing this, they were sharing in the sufferings of Christ. Other people saw their dedication and were drawn to Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4:8-12

8 We are pressed on every side by troubles,

but we are not crushed.

We are perplexed,

but not driven to despair.

9 We are hunted down,

but never abandoned by God.

We get knocked down,

but we are not destroyed.

10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

11 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. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.

Psalm 43:2-5, Hebrews 11:6

If you are stressed out and looking to God, keep looking.  He promises to reward you for you for not giving up.

For you are God, my only safe haven.
Why have you tossed me aside?
Why must I wander around in grief,
oppressed by my enemies?
3 Send out your light and your truth;
let them guide me.
Let them lead me to your holy mountain,
to the place where you live.
4 There I will go to the altar of God,
to God—the source of all my joy.
I will praise you with my harp,
O God, my God!
5 Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!

Romans 13:8, Proverbs 22:7

I’m trusting in God…I’m resting in Him…My faith is in Him without wavering. I’m praying this with others who agree.  I will pray it each day.

Proverbs 22:7

Just as the rich rule the poor,
so the borrower is servant to the lender.

Psalm 41:1-4

1 Blessed are those who have regard for the weak;
the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.
2 The Lord protects and preserves them—
they are counted among the blessed in the land—
he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.
3 The Lord sustains them on their sickbed
and restores them from their bed of illness.
4 I said, “Have mercy on me, Lord;
heal me, for I have sinned against you.”

God blesses humbleness.

True humility and fear of the Lord lead to

riches

honor and

long life.

~Proverbs 22:4

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

God is the source of all comfort.

3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.

Philippians 4:

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Note to self: Keep a mindset to dream big in the promises of God today!