Thursday; September 2

Do we ever feel like the world is pummeling us? Have we ever felt the constant pressure of society sucking the life out of us? Sure, I don’t know anyone who isn’t influenced by the difficulties we feel; but let me ask us a question. Even though we feel these pressures influencing us, are they serious enough to paralyze us? Oh, they can make us feel uncomfortable, but seriously, are they enough to destroy us or just create an uncomfortable feeling? As we go through life, it is tempting to feel the stressors of life – and because they make us feel bad – we feel like we are going to be overwhelmed. Yet is being overwhelmed inevitable or is the worst that can happen merely some temporary pain and inconvenience?
As I was reading through the New Testament the other day, I saw Paul’s philosophy of life that said, “… we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” (II Corinthians 4:8-10). Paul reminds us that life may not be easy but being uncomfortable isn’t necessarily debilitating. Interestingly, the reason he feels this way is spelled out in the verse before this, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; …” II Corinthians 4:7). The reason we can and will overcome is because God is with us.
When we find ourselves struggling, let’s keep in mind that most pain is temporary. With the help of God, we will endure and we will be better off when we come out the other end of the hardship.

Think About It! 

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