II Timothy 2:3 “Thou, therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
Paul, in this verse, is encouraging Timothy to prepare for some hard times in his service for the Lord. In verse one, he tells him to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
The following is from an article I found years ago that has helped me, and I have shared it many times as a means of encouraging others to be strong, faithful and committed to the Lord and His Church. I pray it will bless the readers.
I AM A SOLDIER!
I am a soldier in the army of my God! The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer; the Holy Bible is my code of Conduct; and faith, prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare!
I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire!
I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity! I will either retire in this army at the rapture or die in this army; but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or be pushed out! I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable!
If my God needs me to teach children, work with the youth, help adults, or just sit and learn, He can use me, because I am here! I am a soldier!
I am not a baby! I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up, or pepped up!
I am a soldier! No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice, me, or lure me! I am a soldier!
I am not a wimp! I am in place, saluting my king, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His kingdom!
No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts! I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to! I am committed!
I cannot have my feelings hurt badly enough to turn me around! I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside! I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit! When Jesus called me into this army, I had nothing! If I wind up with nothing, I will still come out even! I will win! My God will supply all my needs! I am more than a conqueror! I will always triumph! I can do all things through Christ!
Devils cannot defeat me! People cannot disillusion me! Weather cannot weary me! Sickness cannot stop me! Battles cannot beat me! Money cannot buy me! Governments cannot silence me, and Hell cannot handle me! I am a soldier!
Even death cannot destroy me! For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield, He will promote me to be a captain and then bring me back to rule this world with Him!
I am a soldier in the army, and I'm marching, claiming victory! I will not give up! I will not turn around! I am a soldier, marching Heaven-bound! Here I stand!
Will you stand with me?
-Author Unknown