For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 - If someone were trying to sell someone on Christianity, these verses are likely not going to be the top two shared. Paul was being real with the church in Corinth, he had been through the ringer in his ministry time in Asia. While scripture isn’t clear on exactly what it was he is referring to, what is made clear is the level of despair he found himself in due to it. He felt he was on death row, unsure if each day was going to be his last. And why was this Paul’s story? Because he was choosing to live faithfully for the Lord. Paul and his crew were experiencing the worst of life because of their choice to follow the Lord. We even see that God allowed such turmoil to take place and remain in their life so they would further grow in their reliance on Him. Let passages like this remind you that an active, faithful Christian life isn’t going to be always peaceful and pain free. Where Christianity is at today, many in the church connect discomfort and struggle with signs that either they aren’t following God or God is unfaithful. Maybe, like this passage, God is allowing the struggle to remain so we learn to rely on Him more. Maybe discomfort isn’t a sign you’re off track but actually on it, for rarely do we see in scripture those faithfully servicing existing in pure comfort. Following the Lord will include the hardest of hards, but know even if God allows such things to remain in our story, it’s purpose is to further our dependence on Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3124
Question To Ponder: What is a struggle we may face that is hard to see why God may allow?
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