2 Corinthians 5:11-6:10.  Paul described himself and the other missionaries who worked with him as having a weapon in each hand (6:7).  Perhaps he was picturing a Roman soldier with a sword in one hand and a shield in the other.  Maybe he was pointing out that both the times when the missionaries seem to be successful,  and the times when they had setbacks, God was at work.  Perhaps that is why he mentioned the death of Christ here.  In the flesh, the cross seemed a defeat, but in reality, God was reconciling the world to himself (5:19) making it possible for us sinners to become new creations and have his righteousness (5:17, 21).  In the same way, when the servants of God suffer hardship for Christ, they commend themselves because by suffering for him they honor him. 

LORD, use us how you see it. May we magnify you through our victories, and honor you in our struggles.