If my understanding about the timing of Jesus’ return and our likely endurance through much of the Tribulation is accurate, how do we fortify ourselves mentally to withstand it? To find the answer, let us explore three metaphors that Paul shared with Timothy for coping with adversity.
In 2 Timothy, Paul writes to Timothy, providing counsel on how to confront suffering. In chapter two, Paul employs three metaphors to guide Timothy in facing persecution or hardship. Let us read 2 Timothy 2:1-7 (NIV) and then examine these verses closely, unpacking the significance of each metaphor.
“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.”
Firstly, Paul instructs Timothy to endure suffering as a good soldier. The emphasis here is a “good soldier,” implying excellence rather than mere participation. Drawing from my experience in the military, I recall engaging in war games where blank rounds were utilized. I believe that there has never been a soldier on the front lines who was shocked that the enemy is using live rounds and that they are trying to kill him. We too should never lose sight of the reality that the enemy seeks to inflict harm. Similarly, we should anticipate the challenges ahead without surprise. Paul highlights the need for soldiers not to become entangled in civilian affairs but to prioritize pleasing their commanding officer. On the frontline, concerns about earthly matters like purchasing a car for post-deployment are sidelined in favor of the overarching mission to secure victory and earn approval from your commanding officer. Reflecting on my military tenure, I recognize individuals whom I once perceived as “suck-ups” but now understand their relentless pursuit of pleasing authority as a means to advance in rank, they were the good soldiers.
The second metaphor that Paul discusses is that of the athlete. Have you ever considered that the Olympic gold medalist isn’t always the most inherently talented athlete? More often than not, it’s the one who dedicates themselves to rigorous training. An athlete understands the necessity of training diligently every day, regardless of how they feel. Similarly, when we’re enduring suffering, we must immerse ourselves in God’s word daily, whether we’re inclined to or not. Note what Paul adds about the athlete: “anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.” All athletes have to follow the rules for fear of being disqualified.
This brings to mind John Bunyan’s renowned work, “Pilgrim’s Progress.” There is a guy in the book named Christian and early in the book he becomes a Christian but his journey is just beginning. He had a burden on his back that symbolically represented his own sin, his own stuff, and it wasn’t until shortly into his journey that his burden was relieved by Jesus Christ, and his sins were forgiven.
After his burden was relieved Christian encountered two strange characters. The name of one was formalist, and the name of the other was hypocrisy. Then Christian asks the gentlemen, where did you come from and where are you going? They replied we were born in the land of Engloria, and we are on our way to the heavenly city. Then Christian said, why did you come over the wall instead of coming through the narrow gate, did you not know that he who climes in by some other way is a thief and a robber? Well, it is a long way around to the wicked gate answered formalist and hypocrisy, our countrymen always take the shortcut, they been doing it for hundreds of years so it cannot be wrong. But it is breaking the rules of the journey, said Christian. What does it matter how we did it, if were in were in. Christian answered, I walk by the rule of my master and you are following your own fancy. To this they gave him no answer, only they looked upon each other and laughed and so they continued on their way, the three of them together.
This is where we need to be honest with ourselves and ask the question, have I been following the rules of our Lord or have I been following my own fancy?
The third metaphor introduces a starkly different perspective from the first two—it’s that of the hardworking farmer. While the soldier finds motivation amid the adrenaline of battle and the athlete draws energy from the cheers of a roaring crowd, the farmer toils amidst the quiet sounds of his labor and the occasional buzz of insects. Moreover, unlike the soldier or athlete, the farmer doesn’t grow impatient despite the delayed gratification of his efforts. A never heard of a farmer giving up a week after planting his seeds because he sees no results. He understands the virtue of patience because he knows that in due time, the harvest will come, and he will reap a portion of the crops.
Similarly, as we face the tribulations of life, we must cultivate patience and endurance, especially when the darkest times descend upon us and we have no understanding of why this is happening. Just as the farmer waits for the harvest, we must await the fulfillment of God’s promises, trusting that His timing is perfect and his return is near.
Recently, I had the opportunity to take my family to explore a cave in San Antonio during my daughter’s spring break. Descending nearly two hundred feet below the surface, our guide turned off the lights to immerse us in pitch darkness. In that moment, even with our hands held inches from our faces, we could not see a thing. It was an eerie and profound experience.
Reflecting on that darkness, I realized that the cave had existed in total obscurity since its creation, until humanity discovered it in the 1960s and brought light to reveal the beauty that God had been crafting in darkness for thousands of years. It was a breathtaking realization—that even when things look the darkest for us, we sometimes miss the beauty that God is creating, because we are too focused on ourselves and not the bigger picture.
I leave you with these words from Corrie Tinboom:
Corrie Ten Boom who sister was dying of starvation in a German concentration camp had to grapple with God’s goodness, she comments in one of her writings of how we so often say isn’t God good when referring to good circumstance. She says what about when our circumstances aren’t so good, is God still good?
She said, God is good when he sends good weather, but he is also good when He allowed my sister Betsy to starve to death before my eyes in a German concentration camp. I remember one occasion when I was very discouraged there, everything around us was dark and there was darkness in my heart and I remember telling Betsy that I thought God had forgotten us. No Corey said Betsy, He has not forgotten us, remember His word; “for as the heavens are high above the earth so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him.”
Then she continues, there is an ocean of God’s love available and there is plenty for everyone, and may God grant you never to doubt that victorious love, whatever the circumstances.