Troubled, Perplexed, & Persecuted

In the midst of life storms, we all can become discouraged. Not being able to know the outcome of each situation can oftentimes leave us feeling defeated prior to the storm’s end. Choosing to live life with a winner’s mindset is an available choice through Christ Jesus during the storms.

Let’s use the Inductive Study Method on 2 Corinthians 4:6-10 (KJV)

⁶For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. ⁷But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Verses 6 & 7 speak to the mercy, which we have received from God our Father. Oh how blessed we are to have the Gospel of Christ shining in our hearts!

⁸We are troubled (bothered, disturbed) on every side, yet not distressed; (distraught, anxious, unhappy) we are perplexed, (puzzled, at a loss, baffled, thrown, taken aback) but not in despair; (misery, desolation, hopelessness, depression, despondency)

⁹Persecuted, (wronged, mistreated, victimized, offended) but not forsaken; (deserted, abandoned, desolate, isolated,) cast down, (discourage, dishearten, demoralize,) but not destroyed; (shattered, cracked, smashed, damaged, ruined)

¹⁰Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

*Note: The words yet & but are used to introduce a contrast, in other words they shout “However” –

These words serve to show the distinction between the actual afflictions, and the limitations of those afflictions in the lives of Believers…

Yes, this is all a part of being a believer of God, and we must learn to not allow these afflictions to move us (1 Thessalonians 3:3), but instead rejoice in the midst of trials knowing that God is faithful to manifest through us  a work so great that only He can be glorified and praised!

Be encouraged my friends, as we seek to positively impact this world for Jesus Christ!