Few months ago, I was going through a hard time and was feeling very down. So, I just started talking to God and was telling him how I felt and didn’t understand why some things were happening. And a few days later, I was praying at night when the Lord gave me 2 Corinthians 4:6-9. I got scared a bit because I realized that God was really present in that moment, but I was also so grateful because the first verse was all I was praying for, and the other verses were a source of encouragement for me. The more I read those verses, the more the Lord opened up my eyes to some truths that I'd like to share with you.
2 Cor 4:8-9 says that we are hard pressed on every side but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed. Amen.
Truth #1
Oftentimes in life, we find ourselves going through so many tribulations at once, such as struggles to to make ends meet or find a job, difficulties in school, grave health conditions, and difficult family situations. But even though we are hard pressed, the Lord says that we are not crushed. The heavy loads that we are carrying cannot crush us because Christ is our rock and as long as we stand upon that rock, we shall not be moved. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” Mat 11:28.
Truth #2
When going through tribulations, we are often perplexed, confused about why some things are happening, and find ourselves asking why God is silent or not intervening. It is okay to be perplexed, but we must not let that perplexity put us in despair or make us lose our faith.
Faith is what will keep us standing, so we must protect it at all costs by standing on the Word of God.
The bible says that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Heb 11:1). Therefore we need faith to continue the fight.
Truth #3
Some tribulations may be physical (people stabbing you in the back, criticizing you, undervaluing you, denying you opportunities) or spiritual (fight against evil altars, strange attacks in the night, constant bad dreams).
In the midst of persecution, it’s easy to feel like God has forsaken us. But the Lord says that he has not abandoned us.
Even though God may be silent in those times, we must know that He is in the boat with us and He will be with us until the end of the world (Jn 14:18 & Mat 28:20).
Truth #4
We may be struck down as a result of those tribulations, but we cannot be destroyed. Any fatal blow we have received will not kill us. As long as we make of God our refuge, and we stand upon the Rock of Ages, we will not be destroyed. The Bible says that “they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for the Lord will be with you to rescue you"Jer 1:19.
We must keep on believing and trusting in God for the Bible says that those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion which cannot be shaken but endures forever (Ps 125:1)
To finish, I’d like to say that whatever we are going through is not the end. There is a greater glory ahead of us and we must keep on fighting with all the weapons of God (Eph 6:11).
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