Faithfulness When Following Jesus Feels Hard
2 Corinthians 12:11–21 isn’t a passage of triumph. It’s a window into a weary apostle’s heart — misunderstood, doubted, criticised… yet still loving, serving, and hoping for the church in Corinth. And in that, we see everyday Christianity at its most real.
Paul is not “super-Christian Paul” here — he’s simply a believer determined to follow Jesus, and love others, when it hurts.
And that’s actually our normal Christian life too.
In this passage, we find three everyday practices that shape authentic faith:
1. See Yourself Truthfully in Christ
Paul refuses to prove himself or puff himself up. He knows he is nothing without Christ, yet completely sufficient in Christ. Following Jesus isn’t about striving to impress God or others — it’s about resting in grace and walking in humility. We don’t have to be everything. We just need to trust the One who is.
2. Choose People Over Comfort
Paul doesn’t pursue gain — he pursues souls. He chooses relationships over convenience, love over self-protection, and sacrifice over self-interest. Everyday Christianity means serving other people, even when it’s inconvenient, unnoticed, or misunderstood — because Jesus displayed what true service looks like to us.
3. Keep Growing (and Help Others Grow)
Paul fears finding the church stuck in sin — quarrels, impurity, gossip. Real faith isn’t passive; it presses toward holiness, invites accountability, and helps others grow too. Everyday Christianity is slow, steady transformation — repenting often, forgiving freely, and encouraging others along the journey.
Some days faith feels glorious — like a spiritual mountain-top. Other days it feels like Paul here: tired, unseen, but still obeying Jesus.
And that’s maturity.
Not glamorous.
Not always applauded.
But faithful.
Lord, make us humble, loving, and persistent — keep us steadily growing in Your grace. Amen.