“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)

Indeed, Paul knew what it meant to go through hard times, as he was harassed and persecuted by many people for expressing his faith in Jesus Christ. And it’s likely that he lost a lot of friends too.

After all, before he gave his life to Jesus he had close ties with the Pharisees who essentially turned on him after his conversion.

He was even imprisoned and beaten with rods and stoned by people who professed to be followers of God. And he faced sleepless nights and often suffered from hunger pains as a result of making great sacrifices for the preaching of the truth as it is in Jesus Christ. (2Cor. 11:23-27)

Many people would think that they had made a mistake if they were to endure but a small fraction of the hardships that Paul went through for the sake of the gospel. But Paul didn’t give up as a result of such pressure, because his life ceased to be self-serving when he embraced the Life of Jesus Christ, which is why he was able to utter the following words:

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 NKJV)

You see, Paul didn’t see the adversity that he endured as too big of a burden to face for Jesus Christ; rather, he thought of it as a sign that he was privileged to suffer for Christ, who also suffered and endured great affliction for him. Without a doubt, Satan wanted Paul to believe that he was cursed for serving God, which is why he tried to make life so hard for him. He wanted him to think that God didn’t care about him, and that it wasn’t worth it to serve Him. But Paul knew better than to believe such lies, and countered such thoughts not by focusing on the circumstances which surrounded him, but by keeping his eyes focused on the Prize that would be given to him in heaven.

Note: it wasn’t Paul’s ability to say, “I can”, that enabled him to endure hard times for Jesus; rather, it was his knowledge of God’s love for him that moved him to embrace the high calling of God to overcome a world that hated him for making the choice to live his life in service to Jesus Christ. Positive thinking isn’t what saves us; rather, it is Jesus Christ who gives us strength to overcome the evil one.

Reflecting on the lives of godly men in this way is important because it serves to remind us that we aren’t the only ones who are going through hard times. Many who came before us have been through stuff that far exceeds anything that we will likely face during our lifetime. And just as they found strength in Christ to overcome the world, we too, can overcome anything that the world throws at us if we would but invite Jesus Christ to empower us with His strength.

No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the LORD. (Isaiah 54:17 NKJV)

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