A Reminder...

Today was such a rough day. So much transition... so many emotions. "Lord... what are you trying to teach ME??" has been my question lately.


There are so many variables that we get hit with day in and day out. Some days... you go through life and all is "hunky dory" (sp?). And other days (much like mine today) you feel like you've just got beat up. It's days like this that I am reminded that because of who I am... and WHOSE I am... I'm gonna get stretched and pressed! I am in a war that is bigger than me! The beauty of belong to the Lord... is that even though I am feeling the heat... it is the Lord's battle. And he's already won! I am on this earth to be a communicator of what Christ is doing in my life to show others what it means to be in Christ. There are gonna be hard situations at work, in relationships with others, and in ministry... but it is for God's glory and for his work to be revealed in our lives.

2 Corinthians 4:8-12 (NIV)

⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ 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. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.




The Lord brought to my mind these verses after I have felt the heat and finally just cried (the ugly cry mind you) in front of co-workers and in the car on the way home. Those poor people who could see in my windows at this hot mess of a girl! ha! I hope my windows are tinted just enough and the storm clouds covered over my brokenness! Otherwise... they probably were thinking I was crazy or something! When I got home and poured over these verses... I noticed a conjunction inserted over and over again. It's the word...


but.


But what? The word but according to Merriam-Webster online dictionary means 'on the contrary or other hand'. It's an exception.


Look at the scripture in 2 Corinthians 4 versus 8 and 9 again. Just read through what each phrase says after the word but.


but not crushed...
but not in despair...
but not abandoned...
but not destroyed...


We will be pressed on all sides... life will be perplexed... we will experience persecution and may even be struck down (in my words... beat up!!!)


BUT we experienced all these things so that the GLORY of HIS GREAT NAME will be at work in you and me... and that work will be displayed for others to see.


Life is hard. Situations arise and suck the energy right out of you. BUT put on your big girl panties... I mean armor and let's keep our eyes on Jesus... the Author and Perfecter of our faith. His mercies are new EVERY morning. Great is HIS faithfulness!