"We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you." (2 Corinthians 5:12-13)As Paul writes this letter, he and his fellow missionaries are being slandered by false teachers in Corinth. They were saying there was no way Paul could be a minister of God because Paul had endured too much suffering and God would never let His anointed one suffer like that. False teachers still speak messages like that today. They say God has an easy life for you, one where you're rich, hot, happy, and you'll never be sick. You can claim anything you want in Jesus' name. But Jesus said, "we will be hated on his account" and Philippians says we were granted suffering on behalf of Christ. So if you're suffering today, it's not a sign that you don't belong to God. In fact, He draws near to those who suffer. He's with you and sometimes in our suffering, it's easier to see that He's where the joy is!