“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. so then death is working in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-12
In our daily walk as Christians there will be many times, even seasons of discouragement. That discouragement can feel very heavy. Many of you have undoubtedly experienced this, maybe some of you right now. Those moments where the squeezing of the world, disappointment from failed expectations (your own and/or those of others), discouragement regarding a decision you desired to go the other way, failed battles with temptation and sin, the flight of hopes and dreams, the heaviness of hearing and bearing with hard news, stress from relational conflict and disruptions, the bearing of criticism (your own and/or others), etc. can be very weighty. You can quickly become one who is burdened, finding it difficult to get out from under it. This is another time when your joy is challenged. How have you viewed and handled discouragement in your life thus far? How can you deal with, or better deal with discouragement? What comfort do you have when you are so weighed down? Think about this for a moment.
A great comfort that God gives you is the testimony and example of fellow saints who know the struggle, know the burden, know the journey through the valley, and yet also know the power of Christ, along with the sustaining grace of the Holy Spirit in helping them face death, sin, and discouragement in the power of Christ’s victory and thus to overcome it. (Romans 8:35-39) We find such an encouraging and comforting testimony in the Apostle Paul’s words to the Corinthian saints in 2 Corinthians 4, don’t we? He and his colleagues had experiential knowledge of various pressures and burdens in the afflictions of ministry. And yet, though the world would expect otherwise, Paul says by divine grace they weren’t crushed. (2 Corinthians 1:8, 7:5) They weren’t in despair. They weren’t forsaken. (Hebrews 13:5) Neither were they destroyed. (Psalm 37:24) Further, we’re comforted by the awesome reality of our Savior being our great high priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses, as He was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) Praise the Lord!
Notice how Paul uses the key experiences of Jesus’ death and resurrection as a pattern for understanding his own experiences and suffering. It’s important for us to look at Christ’s death and resurrection as a pattern for understanding our own experiences as well. For indeed, like Paul, Jesus’ power is continually made known through our weakness. (Galatians 2:20) It’s through standing in Christ with this gaze and comfort that the Spirit helps and sustains us in facing and overcoming discouragement. Christ is the lifter of your head! (Psalm 3:3)
As many in the world, and sadly the church, think and teach the idea that a truly spiritual person never gets discouraged, it’s easy for us to be overwhelmed, confused, and even more discouraged by such teaching. Yet, don’t believe this lie. Rather, be grounded and encouraged by the truth of Scripture that faith in Christ doesn’t remove the causes of discouragement. Rather, it enables us to overcome them. We have and will experience discouragement, but we won’t be defeated or destroyed by it.
Considering all of this, what are some truths that need to ground you as you deal with discouragement? Remember that though you may be perplexed, don’t despair. Keep your eyes on and joy in Christ, for:
- As was true for Paul and his colleagues in our focus text, God may order trials and affliction in you to minister to others through you.
- God often leads you through trials and suffering in order to refocus your gaze on Him. (Psalm 119:67-71)
- As you go through such, He is pruning and polishing you so that you may bear more and more fruit, showing forth His grace and glory (John 15:2, 1 Peter 1:6-7)
May the words of King David in Psalm 43 be a healing salve to your heart and guide you in dealing with any discouragement that you are wrestling with. Speak these words to your own soul today, as David did to his.
“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.” Psalm 43:5
May Jesus lift your head, sustain and encourage you today as you seek and trust Him.