He refused to reject his cross. What sets Paul, Peter etc. Anyone could have evangelized with no opposition, no aloneness, and with a fan club of admirers, etc. Many religious leaders today seek to build their ministry instead of their life. Their struggle is to build programs, promote, raise money, draw crowds rather than the struggle of letting God rip from us ego, pride, selfishness and glory.
People become big' leaders, rather than humble servants.
The greatest struggle is not without but within. To be joyful and faithful in acute illness produces a fine quality. For those imprisoned for Christ unjustly comes the deep secrets of God. For those who have been crushed in lost love and betrayed, they have learned dimensions of love, unknown to many. The cross bearing follower of Jesus is not to flee from the path of the Master.