Responding to Adversity
When you set out to shine the light of the gospel, the good news about Jesus Christ, you may easily fail to anticipate or appreciate the adversity you will face. The apostle Paul himself experienced an intense degree and broad array of adversity. His response to these difficult challenges provides us with an example to follow. To study his perspective on adversity in a comprehensive way, you may study the entire letter of 2 Corinthians. In this and following posts, I will introduce you to some helpful perspective from the Chapter 4, beginning with this post looking at 2 Corinthians 4:1.
A Much Better Ministry
When you encounter adversity in your gospel efforts, remember that you have been given a more excellent opportunity than the previous alternative. When Paul says, "Since we have this ministry," he is referring to the ministry of the Spirit versus the ministry of the law (2 Cor 3:7-9). Prior to the death and burial, resurrection and ascension of Christ, ministry as we know it consisted of teaching people to follow the law and of promoting its enforcement. This ministry focused on laws which were carved on stone and enforced by physical consequences, which could be as severe as death. That is why Paul called this the ministry of death and condemnation (2 Cor 3:7-8). Thankfully you carry out a different ministry which Paul describes as the ministry of the Spirit and of righteousness (2 Cor 3:8-9). He describes it this way because today, God works out his righteousness through Christ directly into the hearts of his followers by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This is an inward, genuine change enabled by the Spirit, not an outward, external one enforced by laws and death. So if you think your ministry is difficult, then compare it to the ministry of death. You have a significantly better assignment.
A Ministry You Don't Deserve
When you encounter adversity in your outreach, you should also remember that you are doing something you don't deserve to do. Paul reminded himself that he had "received mercy," and we should remind ourselves of the same thing. So far as Paul was concerned, God had turned a self-righteous, arrogant, and blasphemous persecutor of Christians into a faithful apostle and humble servant of the church (1 Tim 1:13). Like him, God has entrusted to your care a challenging but glorious privilege of taking the news of his sacrificial death and victorious resurrection to an unbelieving world in need of a divine rescue. To face adversity with resilience and endurance, you must learn to accept that God has chosen to use you as you are and not because of who you are.
A Mindset that Doesn't Retreat
When you recognize that God has given you a more wonderful opportunity, one which you do not deserve, then you have adopted the true perspective which enables you to "not lose heart." To "lose heart" means to grow discouraged, to give up, to become demoralized, and to become weary. To lose heart is a serious condition because it will cause you to withdraw from ministry endeavors in the hope that you will diminish the criticism and difficulties, challenges and misunderstandings, suffering and setbacks that come your way. By responding this way, however, you will retreat from the ministry which God has entrusted to your care. So, what are you facing today? Are you under-appreciated, misunderstood, criticized, or mistreated? If so, then I encourage you to pay attention to what Paul shares with us here in this chapter.
