Sustained Not Forsaken

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down,but not destroyed. 

(1 Corinthians 4:8,9)

Yes, for the Christian hopelessness is not a viable option.  We have received the greatest gift of all time in the blood of our Savior and, with it, the promise that we will be joint heirs with Jesus Christ in Heaven for all of eternity.  Knowing that we are saved from condemnation by and separation from God the Father, how could any wordly thing steal that joy away?

And yet, we give many life situations power over God to drain us of our perseverance.  I do, at least.

I honestly am at a loss as to how apostle Paul could live out the sentiments he expressed because I have been battling with depression for a decade now, and my "persecution" pales in comparison to his.

But I also am acutely aware that I am not alone in this.  Though it's not often talked about in church, I know that depression, hopelessness, and despair are things that many of us have to fight with monthly, weekly, even daily.  Because even though we have the promise of eternity in Heaven, we have to live out this life on earth.  Were these matters purely physical, they may be easier to overcome, but "we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12).  And we cannot fight spiritual battles on our own. 

Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved. 

(Psalm 55:22, ESV)

This is why King David's verse is so dear to me.  We can't fight battles on our own.  So we shouldn't even try.  Offer every trial up to the Lord God our Father, and He will prevail.  It is not by his own strength that Paul was not destroyed but by the grace, mercy, and power of Christ whom Paul placed his faith in and his burdens on.  

This is the important lesson that God has been trying to teach me.  Because even though it is in my head, I read the verses and understand, it is still drilling down into my heart.  Even though I know I am weak, I still try to be strong.  I still try to be enough.  And I am still sometimes ashamed at how useless I really am.

But that is what is really beautiful about God, isn't it?  That even though we are nothing, He is willing to be everything for us.  Just as He was willing to humble himself, come to the earth, and die a criminal's death to gain a victory for us then, He is willing to step into the arena for us now.  If we let him.