We have no basis, in fact or experience, for presenting the gospel as a way of making life sweet and simple, much less as a road to uninterrupted happiness. Ministry is difficult. Christian discipleship is difficult. Following Christ creates problems. Thus, Paul charges Timothy to “endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” Our difficulties will sometimes be like those of others. Sometimes they will be quite different. At this point, Paul had his own particular set of problems, and Timothy