In ephesians 3:1-13, Paul encourages the ephesians who were discouraged upon hearing that he was thrown into prison because he preached the gospel to the gentiles (which includes them).
Paul talks about how his suffering is but part of the plan, the revealed mystery of God's intention to also make the gentiles heirs along with Israel. In verse 13 he puts his intentions explicitly: do not be discouraged because of my sufferings for you.
In fact, be encouraged, for they are for your glory.
Attempting to make an application out of it, I summarised it as such
The beneficiary is encouraged by the suffering of the benefactor in service.
But I also noticed that it is possible to suffer in ministry in a way which discourages people. There must be a good way to suffer and a bad way. Here's the really big lesson:
There's bound to be suffering in ministry. Don't waste it by suffering badly. Suffer it well.
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