Crushed but Not Despairing

By Paula Williamson guest writer

Crushed but NOT Despairing

We live in a world where most of the news we hear is bad, fearful, and negative. Some of us live in a head filled with the same thoughts, but there is a place you can find good news!

It is written:

2 CORINTHIANS 4:7-10 But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God[His sufficiency] and not from ourselves. ⁸ We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; ⁹ hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed; ¹⁰ always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown in our body.

Good News

Scripture tells us that we are pressed but not crushed, perplexed but not despairing, struck down but not destroyed–why? Because we have this treasure in our earthen vessels–the surpassing greatness of God who is greater than ourselves, giving strength that is not our own but His. I know Him better each day because I recognize my weakness and ask for His strength, His joy, His salvation, His wisdom, and I am always amazed at what changes about my day. Are you up for a trade?

Prayer

Oh Lord, I can face today because You are with me. I will not be crushed, nor will I despair. Help me to live in such a way that others see this treasure, Your light in my earthen body!

Take Away

There is a treasure residing within me not to illumine me but to draw others to that light.