Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4:8–10 inspire believers in every generation: “We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed.” If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably read those words and thought, “But I’m not Paul.” Paul endured imprisonment, beatings, shipwrecks, rejection, and constant hardship. Yet he remained steadfast in his faith and unwavering in his mission. How is that possible? The answer is not that Paul possessed extraordinary human strength. His endurance came Read More
Tag: discouragement
D-Words: Discouragement
The third and final D-Word in this series is Discouragement. Discouragement may greet you when you rise in the morning or when you lay down to sleep for the night. Yet, there is a cure for this Dream Killer. It’s called the Word of God. Let’s take a look at the life of the Apostle Paul. Paul had many reasons to be discouraged. In , Paul tells us, “Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a Read More