Life can be difficult. Whoever says that if Christians we are faithful they are supposed to have the ‘good life’ is peddling a version of the Christian faith that doesn’t match with Scripture.
Today in verses 7-11 Paul gives a picture of his life. If any human being was faithful it was Paul, yet for Paul hardship abounded. Listen… But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.
Troubles of this world come and they can come in bunches, but these troubles are not the end of Paul nor are they the end of us… hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned… Note all of the ‘but nots.’ Stuff happens but God is there buoying us amidst the storm. These words are so true. I have witnessed this in my life and the lives of countless saints in my decades with Jesus!
So what should be our response to hard times when they come? So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (18). Fix our eyes on Jesus, the Father and the Spirit!
Lord, when the road gets difficult and life is painful and hard and when holding to our faith costs, help me to stare at You, to look to You. And Lord, when during these times I am tempted to look away from You, please remind me of this Scripture and today’s prayer and direct me to gaze at You. I pray in Your name. Amen.
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