Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes.

Three times I was beaten with rods. 

Once I was stoned. 

Three times I was shipwrecked. 

Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.

I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.

I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights.

I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. 

I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.

Then, besides all this, 

I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. 

2 Corinthians 11:25-28 NLT

Paul hasn't gone through all this to build a following, to become famous. 

He went through all this because he loves God, and loves people. 

When we read his letters, we know that they're written by someone who knows what suffering is. 

When he writes about his faith, we can know that his faith has been tested.

When he writes that nothing can separate him from God's love we have a glimpse of some of the things that have tried. 

And what is Paul's burden that keeps him up at night? 

His love for the church. 

God's people. 

Others. 

May we too maintain our heart for others no matter what we face today.

#Corinthians 

#lovepeople