I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.
Acts 20:23

Paul was being led by the Holy Spirit of God. He didn’t know exactly what that meant (v.22), but the Lord did reveal to him that in this case, following the leading of the Holy Spirit included “prison and hardships.”

I wonder how many of us would follow the leading of the Holy Spirit if we knew that suffering was up ahead?

2 Timothy 3:12 clearly says, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” However, that does not mean we are to look for persecution. In fact, Jesus instructed the disciples to leave places that will not receive us as Christians (Matthew 10:14), so it is not wrong to try to avoid persecution when it is possible. In Paul’s case, however, following the leading of the Holy Spirit necessarily included persecution.

It requires discernment to know when to avoid persecution and when to embrace it as God’s will. And when persecution is God’s will, it takes faith to embrace it. May the Lord grant us both the discernment and the faith to follow Him and to trust Him.

Bonus thought: Jesus understood that going to Jerusalem meant the cross. He trusted His Father no matter what the cost. Who besides me is thankful?!