If there is any work worth following and imitating, then it is the life of the Apostle Paul, which was a hard life of suffering, persecution, dangers, death threats and whips on his back. However, he left us the great example of continuing to advance in the midst of suffering and trial, telling of serving Christ with passion and love, and above all, winning souls for the kingdom of heaven.

Sadly, when trials come into our lives, our first thought is to abandon the race to serve Christ and try to return to the world of sin and pain. The Bible teaches that only the mighty will snatch the kingdom of heaven. This has great truths, we cannot long for heaven and not want to suffer as Christ suffered. It is not a question of abandoning the path of salvation when the strong winds of life come, but of pursuing the target as Paul said. It's about moving forward, even when the winds hit your face hard.

Moving forward in times of crisis helps us strengthen ourselves in the Lord in times of storm. It is not a question of returning to the world failed and defeated, but of enduring and trusting that God gives us the strength to endure the bad day and continue on the path where our prize is in the hands of Jesus Christ.