Hard Pressed, but Not Destroyed

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 This verse has been in my mind and on my heart lately. It's been a tough week for several reasons, all of them personal, and I'm feeling hard pressed on every side. Each situation has brought me to tears and forced me to my knees, but God has reminded me that I may be hard pressed, but I'm not crushed. I may be perplexed by these situations, but I'm not in despair. I believe that I'm in the Wilderness right now, walking through, and that maybe on the other side I'll understand some of this. I keep reminding myself that this too shall pass. Yesterday, in the midst of it all, I received three amazing pieces of good news, from three different fronts. And I had a choice to make. I could either let the hard stuff overshadow the good news, or I could be thankful and decide to focus on praising God. I chose to praise God. It's not easy, but it's so important. It didn't take care of the problems, but it made them a little less draining. It didn't stop me from thinking about the other things, but it gave me a better perspective and reminded me that God is in control, and no matter what, He's beside me all the way--in the good and the bad. I may be hard pressed, but I'm not crushed. And maybe, just maybe, the pressure I feel is God's hands molding and shaping me into the vessel He wants to use. Your Turn: Do you ever feel hard pressed? Can I pray for you today? Find me on Facebook
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