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October 27, 2008 - Hard Pressed...But Not Destroyed

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." II Corth. 4:7-9

In our “feel good” society some folks believe that if they have an ample amount of power, fame, prestige, wealth, health and happiness they have it all. They fail to see the value and personal growth that comes with working through struggles, weakness, fragility, brokenness and shame that leads to humility.

Today, many are faced with depression and despair over the economy, the war in Iraq, being unemployed, the heartache that comes with loneliness, the fear of terrorism and the difficulty of facing failed relationships. In the middle of our crisis we sometimes fail to remember that Christians have the power within them to overcome whatever life brings.

Writing to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul attempts to explain how the power of Christ can work through us if we submit ourselves to His Spirit. Frail men and women with weak hearts can find solace in the enabling power of the Holy Spirit.

First, he says that we’re “hard pressed but not crushed.” (vs. 8a) This refers to the outside pressures that we face. The power of God will sustain us through those trying times, no matter how severe the pressure.

Secondly, he warns us that we should be “perplexed, but not in despair.” (vs. 8b) It is normal for us to feel the strain of our burdens. Life sometimes hurts, and it is okay to admit that we may feel smothered and stifled. God made us that way so we would look to Him for our reliance.

The third thing Paul mentions is that we are “persecuted, but not abandoned.” (vs. 9a) Paul’s audience would have known what he meant by persecution. He himself had participated in hunting down Christians and having them killed. But despite the persecutions we face, the power of the Holy Spirit remains inside us as we trust in His mercy, guidance, and love. It can never be taken away, and it will never leave us. (Hebrews 13:5)

Finally, Paul tells us that we are “struck down, but not destroyed.” (vs 9b) In its context, this was most likely a reference taken from Roman wrestling competitions. For a wrestler to be thrown down on the floor, it was considered a setback, but not an automatic defeat. It may hurt, and sometimes we may not want to get up, but Paul tells us that when life throws us down, we have access to the power that can lift us back to our feet.