At times, we all experience emotional, physical, or psychological pain as we stand for Christ in this world. At such times we may wonder if anything good could come from our suffering. But Paul insisted that good things come from bad situations.

As he boldly proclaimed Christ’s message of salvation, Paul experienced severe persecution and suffered greatly. Yet in the midst of those hardships he saw that his suffering always had an eternal benefit. That eternal perspective affected his attitude about suffering for Christ, and turned it into something for which Paul thanked God.

Whenever believers suffer for the cause of Christ, they’re making deposits in an eternal account. Can they see the account grow? No, usually not. Can they make early withdrawals? Again the answer is no. But Paul promises suffering Christians that the eternal benefits far outweigh any present suffering they’re experiencing

While this truth may not relieve a person’s immediate pain, it will give hope. And the hope that something good can come from something bad helps us trust God during tough times. If your faith has brought you hardship that hasn’t yet passed, ask God for a new sense of the hope of which Paul speaks.