Joy In The Midst of Pain!

The Apostle Paul was quite possibly the greatest writer and defender of the Christian faith the world has ever seen. Paul’s writings were so filled with the power of the Spirit that churches on different continents followed his guidance with precision.

God in His infinite wisdom choose to preserve for us some of his letters. Within their pages we find Paul’s passionate love for God and a depth of understanding of the nature of God that has yet to be surpassed. However, this man went through more trials, loss, pain, and suffering than you or I will most likely ever possibly experience or imagine. But even though God allowed all these things to happen to his faithful servant, Paul’s response reveals his understanding and faith in the unshakable truth of God’s love. Listen to these words…

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 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 4:6-9

I love it when he triumphantly exclaims, “We are not in despair!”. If you’re going through something tough right now, don’t despair, don’t give up; instead realize that if you are in Christ that God has placed his “light” in you for the world to see and your current circumstance will just allow that light to shine a little brighter!