Hard Pressed

 “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;  perplexed, but not in despair;  persecuted, but not abandoned;  struck down, but not destroyed.”
~ 2 Corinthians 4: 8-9

Life has a way of becoming overwhelming. As Shakespeare writes in Hamlet, “When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions,” so life tends to buffet us on every side.  How easy it is for us to lose ourselves within the midst of our troubles.

Sorrows and struggles engulf us as we try to walk our path in this world. Waves of disappointment crash over us, causing us to lose our footing, casting us down. But as a wrestler who has been thrown to the mat, we too can push ourselves once more upon our feet.

As I read the Apostle Paul’s words, I was roused as a soldier before battle. Even though we are hard pressed, even though we are confused, persecuted and struck down by the slings and arrows of this world, we need not be overthrown. As the battles of this world rage, we have a support, we have a hope. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4: 17) So then as a runner within a race, we must fix our eyes upon the goal, never forgetting why we run. And beside us, the Master keeps our pace, encouraging and supporting us as we press on toward the finish line.
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As the waves of life threaten to overtake you, keep your eyes upon Jesus. But know this, that if you begin to sink within the turbulent sea, He is there, reaching for you. Look up and grasp His hand and He will pull you to safety.
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
~2 Corinthians 4:18

~ Susan