Suffering Advances the Gospel

I love the fact that Paul saw his suffering not primarily as a result of him preaching the gospel, but as a vehicle that advanced the gospel.

In the same prayer I will pray for God to advance the gospel in the lives of family, friends and the people in my church and community and then also pray that God would keep my family from sickness and suffering.  I dont think this is a bad prayer to pray, but Im coming to understand why Paul could rejoice in suffering. The way Paul responded to suffering made much of God.  His suffering revealed what he loved the most.  His suffering glorified God.

Is my suffering advanving the good news of Jesus Christ?  Does my suffering point others to Jesus?

~ by justineason on July 25, 2008.