1594) There are times when I read verses like 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 when I have frowned and seriously doubted they are true. What do I mean? Well, according to the verse, we, as God’s children, experience affliction but we are not crushed. We feel perplexed, but we are not driven to despair. Even though we may face persecution, we won’t be forsaken. We may get struck down, but we are not destroyed.
Why would I struggle to believe these things are true? After all, these things are wonderful promises. I struggle to believe these things are true because I have felt times in my life where I teetered on the edge of being crushed, falling into despair, convinced I have been forsaken, and feeling like my soul is close to being destroyed. There have been a few times in my life when I, literally, was so close to eternity in a very undignified manner. So, in these times, my soul cries out to God and says, These words can’t be true.
If you have felt your soul ripped apart, you may understand what I am describing. BUT, and that word, “but,” is so important, there are other verses around these that, in context, help me tremendously. The first verse I note is in 2 Corinthians 4:1. It says, in part, “God, in his mercy….” Mercy is the gift of not giving us the punishment we deserve. I understand these verses to mean in context that God is not giving us a crushing nor despair. He is not forsaking us and/or destroying us. God allows these, though, right? Of course, but he’s not the author of them.
The second verse of context is verse 7. Here, Paul tells us that though we are like fragile jars of clay, within us is the treasure of God’s presence (Holy Spirit) and even if we get to the brink of despair, we can cry out to God to save us and he will, his way. That way is always exactly what we need in that exact moment. I think sometimes the confusing part for me is I have felt in these times like I just barely got by this precipice but, ultimately, I am still here and am a better person for it.
If you feel on the brink of despair, you are not alone. As God’s child, he is within you. Cry out to him and he will act. Believe it.
