2nd Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
This passage of scripture describes the resiliency of the Christian's spirit, as manifested in the general attitude to the problems and afflictions that come our way. As followers of the Lord Jesus, we should never conclude that we are plagued with more perplexities and difficulties than the non-christian, for as fallen human beings, we all have our various problems to deal with. However, with the Christian who trusts entirely in God, there is the tendency to keep bouncing back from every daunting situation, and even persecution.
The reason for this indomitable spirit is not because of any inherent fortitude we may have of our own, but rather because the Holy Spirit who dwells in us is much greater than any problem, difficulty, or persecution that can come our way, and thus, by much prayer and trust in The Living God, we are enabled to be more than conquerors in the battles of life.
This sacred truth was made manifest very vividly on the day of Pentecost and thereafter, when the disciples of Christ were subject to various persecutions and afflictions for the sake of preaching the gospel. The chief priests and elders of the Jews had strictly forbidden them to preach in the name of Jesus Christ, but Peter rightly stated that they were under sacred obligation to a higher calling, and therefore were required to obey God rather than men. This persistence in doing right finally caused them to be arrested by the Jewish leaders, who when they had found no cause of wrongdoing, beat them and threatened them not to preach anymore in the name of Jesus. Let's read:
Acts 5:34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; 35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. 40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Instead of retreating in discouragement and self-pity, the persecution that befell them acted as an additional incentive to preach even more, and by so doing they were able by the grace of God to carry the truths of the gospel to every inhabitable region of the then known world.
In our day we need to be careful, lest we be found whining and complaining at every little problem or frustration that may come our way. The "Why me" disposition and the tendency to become discouraged and cast down at every hurdle or daunting situation we encounter should be resolutely put away, for we are called to endure hardness as good soldiers of the cross. So let us then buckle up our shoes, put a smile on our faces, take the sword of the Spirit, and offer the prayer of faith, with which we may be able to quench all the fiery darts of the devil.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to be bold as a lion in facing life's problems, for we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Let's read:
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
May the God of heaven dwell in our hearts by faith so that we can live victoriously, both now and forevermore. "Good night" and God bless!