The apostle Paul led a very tough life by human standards, during which many bad and painful things came his way (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:22-28). In our reading today, he did NOT say that everything that had happened to him was good. Rather, the point of his message was that he trusted God to be able to work out good for him even through the bad things that had happened.

• Paul began this passage saying, “We were saved in hope.” In what ways do you want your faith journey to “pay off” right now, and in what ways are you willing to live in hope, even if the present is different than you would want it to be? What experiences and resources help to nurture hope in your heart?
• Paul gave quite a lengthy list of hardships: imprisoned, beaten, faced death, stoned, shipwrecked, dangers from rivers, robbers, my people, and Gentiles, in the city, in the desert, on the sea, and from false brothers and sisters, hunger and thirst, often without food, and in the cold without enough clothes. What’s your list of tough things you’ve faced? Take that list to God, look for the ways it may have already produced good in your life, and ask God to keep working good for you even out of bad things.