Paul is confident despite not being where he wanted to be. He is confident despite the suffering. With this attitude Paul was encouraging Timothy to have a similar positive outlook on life.
No matter what you go through, what you have or what you don’t have, if you have trust in Jesus Christ then no matter if your world collapses, you will remain standing.
“That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.” (2 Timothy 1 v 12)
He did not say he believed in whom he knew. Christianity is not that. It is knowing who you believe.
“Timothy, at the end of my life, it isn’t how much Theology you have qualified in, but it is about knowing Jesus.”
The world may turn against you, they may slander and speak behind your back, you may suffer from this, but knowing Jesus will mean you will not be ashamed.
How?
Jesus is able to guard you, keep you and hold you. You may be in some tight corners. You may be in a storm but you know whom you have believed and you know He is able. If you go under you know He will raise you up. To Him who is able to keep you from falling … remember? There are times when you stumble, when you hurt and are pained but He is able to stop you from being crushed, for you have entrusted your life to Him.
The day will come. The day of redemption, the day of God, the last day, the great day, the day will come. When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation; And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart; Then I shall bow, in humble adoration; And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!! We are convinced He will bring us home. We know it. Our confidence is in Him.
Missions Paul 