We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition.
-I Thessalonians 2:2
Paul and Silas did not allow the rough treatment and hard times of the past to keep them from doing the present work. Do you know why a lot of preachers leave the ministry? It’s because they first get discouraged because of some painful things that happen to them in the ministry. They become fearful that if they go to another church the same or worse might happen, and they decide they would rather be safe then sorry, and so they walk away from their calling. I have come to view the ministry as being similar to playing football. If you don’t take some hits once in a while, then you really aren’t in the game. Very often a pastor leaves a church because the church is going through some conflict. The pastor should leave because God is telling him to leave, not because the church is going through some difficult times. All congregations go through conflict from time to time.
While they were in Philippi, Paul and Silas had been treated badly. They had been attacked, beaten, thrown in jail, and shackled (Acts 16:16-35). Many a preacher would have considered quitting after all of that. But they would not allow themselves to be discouraged, and instead they stayed with the work – they stood firm and God blessed them. There is a time to move on, and there is a time to stay, but the work of the Gospel continues whether we are in Bristol, California, or South America.
This same principle can work in us as well. Don’t allow painful and difficult circumstances of the past keep you from doing a work for the Lord right now.
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