Things happen. Ridicule I can handle. Beatings, yes, most of the time. If my grammar is errant, forgive me. I am typing with one finger, and one eye partially closed. The pain I can handle as well.
The situation
I wanted to visit my mates who I have not seen for six months. Normal conversation ensued: talk about our wives, etc. And then religion was brought up. This was my opportunity to preach Jesus.
Some of my mates were getting on about my absence from the bar scene. A few scoffed at the mention of Jesus. But preaching and teaching is my responsibility as a Christian. In fact, everyone who calls on the the of the Lord has that responsibility.
There were all the typical arguments about there was no God, everyone was going to heaven, Jesus was just a man, etc. Adept at apologetics, I refuted everyone of the arguments.
The end result
Without going into the sordid details, suffice it to say I have been absent for a couple of weeks nursing my afflictions. I was too weak to feed myself or even open my laptop.
Thankfully I have a very loving wife. She took the responsibilities that are a man's job. It took a few days to even see or hold my son. That was my main pain.
So all this is not a plea for sympathy but rather there are times when the gospel message will be met with hostilities. Preach and teach it anyway.
Now if I could only see to shave! And my apology for such a short article.
You are so blessed with your wife. And you are right, as a follower of Christ, we ought to carry our cross as well. Preach the gospel to the people. Regardless of what they may think about us.