Paul’s Medical Chart

I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again.

2 Corinthians 11:23

When we visit a doctor’s office, we often have to fill out a medical history, answering either yes or no to questions regarding whether or not we have had a seemingly endless list of ailments. Reading 2 Corinthians reminded me of that medical history questionnaire. I began putting a check mark by each of the things Paul endured, as well as noting the frequency of those “symptoms”! It also made me thankful that if I were going down the same list, my answers would have been no in most every case.

•	beaten with a whip (thirty-nine lashes each time!)	5 times
•	beaten with rods	3 times
•	stoned	1 time
•	shipwrecked	3 times
•	spent night and day in the open sea	1 time
•	faced danger from various sources	constantly
•	hungry and without food	often
•	in pain	often
•	thirsty	often

After getting this far on the list, I am feeling thankful that I have been spared many of Paul’s hardships. I have no desire to suffer like he did.

Surely Paul did not enjoy suffering either. But through his hardships, he enjoyed a deeper relationship with the Lord because he trusted that God was using the trials for good. This former enemy of Jesus’ followers was re-created and reformed to become a relentless warrior for Jesus, even under much opposition and criticism. In his missionary travels to the early churches, Paul is a real-life example to us of how to remain faithful in extremely difficult situations. As the progress reports of the various believers got back to him, he rejoiced and passed on the encouragement to others. “We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering” (2 Thessalonians 1:4).

Let’s ask God for endurance and faithfulness too, no matter what is on our medical chart.