"Trouble And Distress"

"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair." 2 Corinthians 4:8

 

This verse was written over a thousand years ago, it sounds like it should have been written today: troubled on every side, perplexed. Seems like no matter which direction we turn there is trouble. Seems like the times in which we live are perplexing, who can understand what is going on. 

 

They were troubled on every side. The word troubled here means to be pressed. They were pressed, oppressed, afflicted, persecuted and suffering. They were perplexed. Perplexed means: to be without resources, to be in straits, to be left wanting, to be embarrassed, to be in doubt, not to know which way to turn. But read the verse again. Though they were in troubles on every side, they were not distressed. Though they were perplexed, they were not in despair. 

 

How was that possible? How did they handle what they were going through? "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." (verses 6,7)

 

The answer is "For God". He gave them light in the dark places of suffering. He shined His light in their hearts in times of hopelessness. They had a relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ, the Son. They knew the Lord was with them and in them. They had power in the times of trouble and perplexity and they knew that the power to stand, to be at peace, to overcome instead of being overcame came from God. 

 

Are you in trouble? Are you being pressed by life? Are you perplexed? You don't have to be distressed by it. You don't have to be in despair because of it. As the Lord gave them all that they needed to walk through these times, He will give it to you also. All that you need- strength, peace, power, wisdom, guidance, healing, provision, grace, help etc.- is available to you. "For God" will give you all you need. He did it for them, He will do it for you.

 

Have a great day. Are you troubled? Are you perplexed? You don't have to be distressed or despair. God will give you everything you need to overcome.

 

For further reading:

2 Corinthians 4

 

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

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