Blessed be God… Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. —2 Corinthians 1:3-4
After the Lord called me to His work, I endured some great soul conflicts. In them, I suffered inexpressibly. I almost despaired at times, but I look back upon those things now as being the things that made me understand the human heart, that gave me a broader sympathy—and have since enabled me to enter into the sorrows and needs of others, to minister comfort and help as I could not otherwise have done. Read more

I count all things but loss….that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death. —Philippians 3:8-10

The apostle Paul counted everything in life but loss so that he could experience as much as possible the life and power of Christ. Purportedly, Paul was beheaded for his faith. Based on his writings, I am confident that Paul welcomed this as he welcomed many other hardships in life.Read more