How To Be Victorious

We are hard pressed on every side,

But not crushed;

Perplexed, but not in despair;

Persecuted, but not abandoned;

Struck down, but not destroyed.

~ 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

     “'That which does not kill you only makes you stronger.'

     “'God never gives you more than you can bear.'

     "These are some worldly equivalents of the above Scripture from 2 Corinthians.   When I first read those verses, I certainly felt pressed, perplexed, persecuted, abandoned, and struck down.  I wanted to wallow in those feelings.  I was angry at God.  I had a very bad case of, 'Why me?'

     "Why not me?

     "Throughout history, the strongest faith journeys have had seasons of pain and adversity.  With Christ as our pinnacle example, we can say with confidence that it is impossible to be of great faith and not endure suffering.  Hard times are inescapable.  Now, how we react to hard times is indeed another matter.   We can look away from God in anger and unbelief, and if we choose to remain this way, be crushed, in despair, abandoned, destroyed.  Or we can look to God, and know beyond our understanding that He is at the core of our testing. And that Jesus alone lights a path to the other side."

“Happily Ever After” by Kristin Armstrong

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     I love those verses from 2 Corinthians.  I love them because it acknowledges what we go through.  It doesn't gloss over the crap within which we must trudge.  

     Using words and phrases that we can identify with such as "struck down", "hard pressed", and "perplexed" have a familiar ring to them.  You get the sense that someone understands you.  And you need that!

     Indeed, Someone does understand you.  He's walking beside you every step.  "Longing to gather you..as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings".  "Rejoicing over you with singing"!  (Matthew 23:37, Zephaniah 3:17)  Look at the wording again.

In a transliteration of the Hebrew for the Scripture in Zephaniah, we find:

"he shall be elated over you"

"in rejoicing he shall be silent"

"he shall exult over you in jubilation"

     Such power in words!  This is how your God feels about you!!!  This is The Word, living and true.  Would you continue to question THIS LORD'S love for you.

   

     No more uncertainty, dear friend!  It's time to be victorious, for you are His!