2 Corinthians 4: Hard Pressed but Not Crushed
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We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
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I have never asked God to send me more hardships and difficulties.
I do not pray for times of pressure and anxiety.
I do not welcome worries and heartache.
But Jesus never promised we would avoid hard times.
He promised he would stand beside you when the weight of the of the world is on your shoulders.
The world could crush you like a jar of clay--but it cannot crush Christ.
He has overcome the weight of the world.
And here's the curious thing:
When Christ stands beside us, all that pressure makes us stronger.
After all, the difference between a lump of coal and a diamond is a little bit of pressure.
So don't fret when the world bears down upon you.
Just know that you are one step closer to being one of God's diamonds in the rough.
And they can't crush the Savior--so they can't crush you.