Jeremiah was in a pickle. The messages that the Lord gave him were not warm 'n' fuzzy. They foretold of violence and destruction. Jeremiah was not the favorite person in the room. He was laughed at and his peers wanted revenge.
Jeremiah decided that he would no longer speak for the Lord. It's too much trouble; allll the time. Then, just as quickly Jeremiah changed his mind. Why? He said that the word of the Lord was in his heart like a burning fire shut up in his bones. He couldn't be quiet! He had to deliver the message(s) that the Lord gave Him.
Paul was something else! Prior to his conversion, Paul's mission was to persecute Christian's. Jesus spoke to Paul and he was forever changed. He became a missionary. He spent the remainder of his life declaring and proving that Jesus is the Christ. Paul speaks his heart in 1 Corinthians 9:16 when he says, "Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel."
Present day missionaries feel Jeremiah's fire and Paul's compulsion. The Holy Spirit has impressed upon their hearts to travel to distant lands. They testify of changed lives and proclaim that Jesus is Lord.
Current missionary journey's can be met with challenges as they were in Paul's day. Let's remember to encourage, pray, and support our missionaries.