Ephesians 3:13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
Often we see the troubles others are going through and we lose heart, especially if they are on our behalf. Paul is encouraging the Ephesians that his imprisonment physically, as well as being a prisoner for Christ, is for their glory. He was enduring the struggles gladly I believe as an example to them that they too should rejoice in their struggles as they spread the gospel to fellow Gentiles.
In an age of comfort and excess, I generally will avoid suffering and the more comfort I receive I end up calling it a blessing. Obviously I have no desire to place myself into difficulty for the sake of the difficulty, but unfortunately, I will often avoid reaching people with the gospel in order to avoid rejection or difficulty. I forget that the reason God wants me to make myself available to Him is to bring glory to God through the repentance of lost sinners.
Paul’s suffering for the gospel isn’t exclusive to the Ephesians either.
2Co 11:21-33 To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone else dares to boast of–I am speaking as a fool–I also dare to boast of that. (22) Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. (23) Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one–I am talking like a madman–with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. (24) Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. (25) Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; (26) on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; (27) in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. (28) And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. (29) Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? (30) If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. (31) The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. (32) At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me, (33) but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands.
“I am suffering for you, which is your glory,” Paul says! What an amazing servant of God.
Lord, may I be this faithful as I go throughout each day serving you.