2 Corinthians 11:28

2 Corinthians 11:28 says, Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.  Though a part of Paul's speaking about his physical suffering for the gospel, I separated this because the shift should be noted.  Paul said that all his physical sufferings were not the only burden he had.  His real burden was for the churches.  Their care was always in his thoughts.  I don't believe that Paul viewed this as a burden that he unfairly had placed on him, but instead was one that he willingly accepted.  No matter what is going on in our lives, we must always have the care of the church first.  We can suffer all the persecution and abuse possible from the world, but if we are not doing so for the sake of the gospel, it doesn't matter.   Verse twenty-nine adds, Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?  I believe that Paul was speaking about his having the care of the churches in mind more than he was of the physical things he had suffered.  He had empathy for all the believers.  When they were weak, his thoughts and prayers were with them in their weakness.  Paul said when they were offended, he burned with righteousness anger.  We should always feel empathy for other believers.  When Christians anywhere are persecuted, we should have a deep sorrow that it happened or is happening.  Being a follower of Christ is never just something that is for the benefit of the one who is following alone, but calls for witnessing to the lost and edifying other believers.  Verse thirty continues, If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.  I believe that Paul was saying that instead of glorifying his strengths, he would instead be glorifying his weaknesses, so that God, and not Paul himself, would be glorified.  Verse thirty-one states, The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.  Paul was giving the glory to Christ and he said that God knew he was not lying.  We may fool the world boasting about ourselves, but we will never fool God.  Verse thirty-two adds, In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:  Paul again relates some of his suffering for the gospel, but how even a garrison of soldiers could not find him because of God's protection.  Verse thirty-three continues, And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.  Paul said that God arranged his escape through a widow and a basket.  When we think that we are weak and insignificant, remember the widow.  She was unafraid to help Paul, even though she would have been punished if caught.  We should never allow fear and weakness to keep us from serving God.