"We are troubled on every side yet not distressed, we are perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not forsaken, cast down but not destroyed." 2nd Corinthians 4 v 8 & 9

Troubled on every side .... Definition: Agitated, disturbed. Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upwards says the wise man in the proverbs. Each one of us has our own share of trouble, our own cross to bear but I believe Christians should think differently when affliction lands on our doorstep. It drives us closer to God who promises to be an ever present help in times of trouble. People say my religion is a crutch - they’re right it is, but I would rather hobble through life on the two crutches of God’s grace and mercy than to struggle on in my own strength. ....Yet not distressed Definition: Severe pressure of pain, sorrow or anguish. The paradox of the Christian life is that we are a joyful people, and although pain and trials are never easy to bear we must remember that through trying times our faith will strengthen and mature in our Abba (Daddy) Father. God tests our faith through difficult circumstances and his aim is to make us more like Jesus. Only then we can empathise and sympathise with others who are in distress. If we could only see the light at the end of the tunnel and believe that God is teaching us values we could never, ever understand otherwise. Remember, in love service only wounded soldiers can serve. As brothers and sisters we are to bear each others burdens both practically and in prayer.

We are perplexed .... Definition: Bewildered, puzzled, confused. Sometimes we question God. Why does he let things happen to me? What is God’s will for my life? How should I have handled a certain situation - was I right or wrong? Should I do this or that? Sometimes we don’t grow enough in our Christian life because we don’t make enough mistakes or take enough risks! Remember, a mistake is only a mistake when we don’t learn from it. .... But not in despair Definition: Complete loss or absence of hope. Our hope is in Jesus and in him only! Remember he shows his strength through our weakness. He uses the weak to confound the strong, uses the unlearned to confound the wise. Our hope is in his love, mercy, grace and forgiveness and that one day the Lord will bring us to where he is.

We are persecuted .... Definition: Pursued with enmity and ill treatment due to religious beliefs. We are looked on as dinosaurs, old-fashioned, peculiar and even stupid because of our faith. God’s righteousness will prevail and the church will never be put down. When political parties, regimes, thrones etc are all confined to the history books the church will still be vibrant and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. .... But not forsaken Definition: Give up, renounce, withdraw one’s help. Christians might be forsaken by the world, family or friends, maybe even by brothers and sisters in the church, but as Abba’s children he promises “I will never leave you or forsake you and I am with you always even unto the end of the world.”

Cast down .... Definition: Depressed. Who doesn’t get depressed about things. The Christian who is always on the mountain top is a liar. People and circumstances can get us down, the state of the world, the deaths from hunger and aids and the apathetic response from the church and state gets me down. My own behaviour can get me down. God knows us and we are the apple of his eye and he will always pick us up. So keep your eyes upon Jesus, look full on his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace. But not destroyed .... Definition: To pull or break down, demolish, make useless, kill. Even at our lowest ebb, when we feel like nothing and so helpless, the great I AM will always lift us up. Isaiah 40 reads “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

There is no test that we will go through that is uncommon to man and every child of God will have to come through trials. I don’t think we can ever prepare fully for the storm coming, but I really do think we need to put faith roots down now so that when the waves come crashing in on us and circumstances are out of our control we are confident in whom we have believed. So keep the faith brothers and sisters, keep walking on in his grace. Can I suggest a couple of things - keep a sense of humour in your walk, for this is a great release valve. Also, I believe music is one of God’s greatest gifts to overcome our low times, so get some good wholesome stuff to listen to. Personally I like to listen to Rich Mullins because his lyrics and music are of substance and I love his song Verge of A Miracle. “When you've played out your last chance, And your directions have all been lost, When the roads that you look down are all dead ends, Look up you're on the verge of a miracle, You could see if you'd just look up.”

Ned Kelly