The topic here is about suffering for Christ, and Paul is telling the people that they are not alone. He used the word conflict. That means whatever he stands for is creating friction between him and some people who would interact with him.
But the option is not to shut up, but to plough ahead at the risk of death. That only makes sense in the context of the promise of eternal life. If Jesus is alive, and He is, wherever He is in the unseen world is where Paul is now.
Being able to wade through such conflicts and keep pushing on is a sign that these people lived as if the invisible was real. Their life is clearly not based on anything in this world. They have roots deep in the spirit. The man of the flesh cannot understand or comprehend this.
They believe it when Jesus said that he was going to prepare a place for them and would come back so they would be with him (John 14:2-3).
They take it to heart when he said If we deny him before men, He would deny us before the Father (Luke 12:9).
They take it seriously when he said What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul (Matthew 16:26).
The point I am making is that Christ has come to make spiritual people, people who live by the reality that is not seen.
The life of Paul was full of conflict since he met Christ, but he still regarded them as light compared to the glory that would be revealed (Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:17).
He said there is a crown of righteousness awaiting him (2 Timothy 4:7-8). For him, going through those difficult situations was not because he loved conflict. For perspective, the price he was paying for his faith in Christ, what he was going through by the ordination of God, was not comparable to the price Jesus paid.
In the next chapter, he said people should have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus, who suffered, died, and rose again and now has the name above every other name (Philippians 2:5-11). A similar hope is placed before us as Christians, and we live for the new life that is Christ. We look forward to the promise of eternal life, and Christ's reward at his coming (Revelation 22:12).
The writer of Hebrews said that:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up (Hebrews 12:1-2)
He is saying whatever you are going through, set Jesus before you as an example of suffering and like him, endure. And what happened after his suffering? Glory. Do you understand? He is saying you should think of him.
Think of Jesus.
Sometimes dropping sin and weight leads to shame and ostracization. Not playing along got Jesus into serious trouble. He was pressured (tempted) in all ways yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).
Think of Jesus.
Eventually, we see that Jesus' standing for the truth was worth it. It would be worth it for you, too. Stand strong. Don't just think of him when you want Him to give you stuff. Think of Him in your suffering also.
Peter also said we should have Jesus as an example of suffering.
For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps. He committed no sin nor was deceit found in his mouth. When he was maligned, he did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatened no retaliation, but committed himself to God who judges justly (1 Peter 2:21-23)
We want to think of Jesus in different ways, and we should. He is our savior, the one who died for us. But we may not be trained to see him as an example of suffering. We should.
Understand that His suffering was not random; it was something that God had ordained. It may come as a surprise to you, but it is not a surprise to God.
The writer of Hebrews called it discipline and said it has the aim of making us partakers of the holiness of God (Hebrews 12:7-11).
That may come in different ways and shapes for people, but don't think that the father is ignorant.
