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
The Bible shows that two workers in the early church, 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 grow discouraged because of some painful things that have happened. They become fearful that if they go to another church the same or worse might happen, and so they walk away from their calling. I have come to view the ministry as kind of like 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. However, all congregations must deal with conflict from time to time. A more spiritual approach is to move on because God is leading the pastor to do so, not just because of some trying times.
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, South America, or the African continent.
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. All too often people drop out of church because of some conflict or hurt feelings. Such persons are depriving themselves of the blessings of serving God and worshiping with a congregation, and they are also depriving others who could greatly benefit from their spiritual gifts and talents.
