Today we continue our new series entitled, “Press through it!”
We have been walking our way through the following passage for quite some time now. Let’s go back to it today.
“We have this treasure from God, but we are only like clay jars that hold the treasure. This is to show that the amazing power we have is from God, not from us. We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We often don’t know what to do, but we don’t give up. We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed. So we constantly experience the death of Jesus in our own bodies, but this is so that the life of Jesus can also be seen in our bodies. We are alive, but for Jesus we are always in danger of death, so that the life of Jesus can be seen in our bodies that die.”
(2 Corinthians 4:7-11 ERV)
Today I will focus in on this line: “We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed.” The Passion Bible translation of this statement reads: “We may be knocked down, but not out.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. The Apostle Paul gives us a picture of what walking with God and developing into the man/woman He called us to be looks like. He said we will have trouble on every side. That we will often not know what to do. That we will have to become comfortable with the uncertain and accustomed to facing opposition. We will be persecuted and attacked. We will experience painful situations. But through it all, God will be with us, His presence will give us peace and power, and we will NEVER be defeated.
2. Paul tells us that we will be hurt sometimes. As we walk with God we will experience painful situations. But nothing we experience can ever destroy us. When God is with us, the only person who can destroy us is us. This is why suicide is so terrible. There are Pastors committing suicide. There are believers all over the world, at this moment, who are being attacked with suicidal thoughts. This happens because satan knows He cannot stop God. He also knows that he cannot stop YOU when you are walking with God. No matter how much pain he attempts to inflict, the Bible says that we, as believers, will never be destroyed. The only way we can lose is if WE quit. The only way we can fail is if we accept failure. I want to minister to those who are battling thoughts of suicide this morning. God is with you. He loves you. He is watching over you. He has never left you, nor will He ever turn His back on you. You have not derailed yourself from your destiny. You have not disqualified yourself from your assignment. You have not made too many mistakes. Do not accept or believe the thoughts of the enemy. Believe what God believes about you. Keep going. Keep pressing. Keep believing. You may be knocked down, but you are NEVER KNOCKED OUT! Look up and not down. Look forward and not backward. Quitting is not an option. Suicide is never God’s will. Cast down those thoughts and embrace the grace of God to KEEP GOING today!
3. Becoming the man/woman God called you to be, and leaving the mark in this world you are destined to leave, is not for cowards. If you want to change the world you are going to have to be courageous. You must press through all the opposition satan will bring your way, and you must develop the resiliency to press through the pain. Maximizing your purpose and potential while you are in the earth is not an easy endeavor!
4. Walking out your destiny and becoming the man/woman of God you were birthed to be in the process is not easy. If it were easy, everyone would do it. There will be times when you don’t know what to do. You will be uncertain about yourself and your future. You will question God and His methods. You will experience opposition and pain. People will turn on you. Situations will change on you. Pressure will mount against you. But that is why God put His treasure (His Spirit) inside of you. You are not alone. Without God you cannot. But with God, you can do all things. God has given you the grace to PRESS THROUGH the pain, to OVERCOME the obstacles, and to WIN every fight. Not because you are so good, but because He is. Not because you are good enough to obtain the victory. But because Jesus already obtained the victory for you. Your job is to simply MAINTAIN (or walk in) the victory Jesus already OBTAINED for you. Victory is not your destination. When you walk with God, victory is your starting point. So don’t launch into this day searching for the victory. Launch into this day FROM a position of victory!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I thank You for always being with me. You are IN me, ON me, WITH me and FOR me. There is no way I can lose. The only way I can lose is if I quit. But I refuse to quit. I cast down every thought of quitting and I refuse to accept any thoughts of suicide. I bind and cast down every thought that does not line up with my purpose. I press through painful situations. I keep going even when the pressure is on me to quit. Jesus obtained the victory for me and I am determined to walk in the victory Christ Jesus provided me while I am in the land of the living. I am strong. I am courageous. I am determined. I am unstoppable. Because I am a child of the Most High God! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
