What can be worse than being seen as a fool?
Yes. I am a fool.
Spending my time, mind, heart and all serving God and I really feel like a fool, more often than not.
And Paul thinks so, too.
1Cor 4:1013
(To the church in Corinth he said) We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.
We work hard with our hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we persecuted, we endure it; when we slandered, we answered kindly. Up to this moment we have become scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.
Assurance for the fools bearing Christ's name.
1Pet 4:12-16
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trail you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you ma be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer of thief or any other kind of criminal, or even meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
v19 - So then. those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.