Perplexed, But Not In Despair
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 also be revealed in our mortal body. So
then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
It
is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same
spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the
one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and
present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace
that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the
glory of God.
2 Corinthians 4:8-15
Some
critics will say the Christian faith is nothing more than a crutch – that the
only reason people claim to trust Jesus is that they are weaklings who have to
make up a religion to just get by.
Those
of us who truly believe, know differently. No one
promises us we will feel no pain. No one promises us an easy time. No one
promises us wealth, health and a wonderful family.
We
have a personal relationship with God – a relationship born of faith in the
work of Jesus on the cross. We are children of the King.
Faith
in Christ is not about safety and caution. Throw those away. Take the step of
faith and find out for yourself, and find new freedom you never thought
possible.
Because Jesus bore the cross for us, we willingly take it up for
Him.
Our Daily Bread –