Christian Living
“For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.” II Corinthians 1:8-11
From the above account, Paul (and his colleagues) had trouble; Paul said they were burdened beyond measure, pressured above their natural strength, they experienced hopelessness and tasted death. They got to a point of despair of life.
According to Dictionary.com despair means; desperation, despondency, discouragement, hopelessness. It refers to a state of mind caused by circumstances that seem too much to cope with.
Are you feeling anything like what Paul and his colleagues felt? Are there times when you feel burdened beyond measure? Do you sometimes feel almost overwhelmed by challenges? Do you feel like you’ve done your very best, and yet your best doesn’t seem to be enough?
Cheer up, the Christian walk is not a walk of feelings but of faith. We overcome always through faith (1 John 5:4). These trials, troubles or temptations before you have been faced by others before you. And we can learn from how they overcame.
The great Apostle Paul practically lost hope of life, he felt like he was going to die. He got to a point where he really couldn’t help himself anymore.
I am soooo thankful that Paul’s troubles didn’t kill him, he didn’t let them. He reminded himself of the covenant of life he had in Christ. Paul remembered all the miracles of Jesus, those of the twelve disciples and even those worked through his own hands. Paul drew strength from reminding himself that his God is the God who raises the dead.
There is hardly any circumstance worse than death. The God who can raise the dead, can certainly fix all kinds of troubles, trials, temptations, depression, despondency.
When burdened beyond measure, there can be the temptation to feel like God has abandoned you or to doubt the efficacy of the Word of God. I love it that Paul recognized that God didn’t abandon him in this terrible experience, neither did God want him dead. Paul and his colleagues, realized why they ended up at exactly the point they found themselves……God was teaching them to trust Him.
…….indeed, we felt within ourselves that we had received the sentence of death [and were convinced that we would die, but this happened] so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead…..
2 Corinthians 1:9 AMP
How? Was the great Apostle Paul not trusting in God? If Paul needed to learn to trust in God, then one can safely assume that he wasn’t doing so at the time (selah).
Who was Paul trusting in? Who are you trusting in? That is a question that only you (and I) can genuinely answer for ourselves.
You know someone can easily become distracted and preoccupied with routine, processes and protocols while missing out on the essence of their being…….Say your confessions, read the bible every morning, lay hands on the sick in the name of Jesus, break bread, prepare a message or song ministration and serve, attend choir practice, etc. While these activities are important, they can slowly take over our connection time with the Father.
Trust is about relationship. Trust speaks of a belief and reliance in the ability of someone or something. Trust speaks of dependence.
The primary way to build our relationship with God (and therefore our trust in Him) is through the Word and prayer. It is important to have regular times of intimacy with the Father through His Word.
When burdened beyond measure, remember that there is a God who can raise the dead; no circumstance is too hard for Him to handle. Trust in God, depend on God, rely totally on Him. He is able and willing to deliver you from the worst of circumstances. He will restore, renew and strengthen you. You will recover all. He is the God who delivered us, delivers us and continues to deliver us.
….that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who deliveredus from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us…
Halleluyah!!!
