In Romans 9:1-4 (NET) the apostle Paul writes, 1 “I am telling the truth in Christ (I am not lying!), for my conscience assures me in the Holy Spirit — 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed — cut off from Christ — for the sake of my people, my fellow countrymen, 4 who are Israelites.”
Of all the trials that the apostle Paul endured, I don’t recall him saying anything about the devastating impact they had on him like he says about this one.  
Recall the fact that he was flogged five times with 39 lashes each time.  Three times he was beaten with rods, and once was pelted with stones after which, thinking he was dead, they dragged his body out of town.  But of none of these adversities does he say that they left him in great sorrow and chronic anguish.  However, to contemplate the fact that his fellow countrymen were lost souls, that was tormenting.  In effect, he even wishes that he could take their place in hell if that would help their situation. 
Elsewhere the apostle writes, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”  (1 Corinthians 11:1)  
Interestingly enough, what the apostle was only able to wish that he could do on behalf of his fellow Israelites, Jesus actually did do for us.  He did take our place in hell, cut off from the presence of God so that we might never have to be.  
So now the call goes out to us to follow their example, to think like that and be like that.  In other words, let the most distressing and painful trial in your life always be that someone you know — someone who may even be making your life difficult — knows next to nothing about how precious they are to the Lord.  Then constantly commit yourself to cowork with Jesus at all times to be as gentle and helpful to them right now as he gives you opportunity to be.  Be who Jesus wants you to be and he’ll do the rest.

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