Emphasis Preaching Journal

During the plagues in Europe, Christians had an above average survival rate. Apparently that was due to the fact that Christians were more likely to care for the sick and dying. In doing so, those Christians strengthened their immune systems by exposing themselves to the disease. Their healthier immune systems then enabled them to ward off the deadly effects of the disease. In contrast, those who tried to shield themselves from the plague at all costs ended up making themselves more susceptible to the plague. In this passage, Paul counsels us not to flee from suffering.