Enduring the Trials of Ministry (2 Corinthians 6:3–10)
Endurance is the true mark of authentic ministry. Paul writes, “Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance…” (2 Cor. 6:4).
Notice how he describes ministry — not in terms of success, but in terms of suffering. Tribulations, beatings, imprisonments, sleepless nights, hunger. To be a faithful servant of Christ is to endure, to lean in to God, and press on with the high calling of God, despite the trials and difficulties that might be opposing.
Paul endured not in his own strength, but by the Spirit. He lists the tools he employed: purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, sincere love, truthful speech, and the power of God. These aren’t natural qualities — they are Spirit-given.
And then Paul embraces the paradoxes of ministry. Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing. Poor, yet making many rich. Having nothing, yet possessing everything. The Christian life is a bundle of holy contradictions. To the world, it looks foolish. To God, it is the power of the cross.
This still holds true. Moses endured forty years in the desert before leading Israel. Adoniram Judson buried his wife and children in Burma but pressed on, translating Scripture. More recently, Charlie Kirk endured public hostility and even assassination because he would not compromise his stand for Christ.
What about you? Are you discouraged because following Christ is hard? Remember, hardships are not signs of God’s absence but of His refining work. Endurance is not a detour — it’s the path.
Prayer: Lord, strengthen me by Your Spirit to endure trials faithfully. Help me to wield Your tools — patience, kindness, and truth — and to embrace the paradox of following Christ with joy.