We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. (2 Corinthians 1:8)
Did you know that believers get down and depressed? Some Christians mistakenly believe that once they have trusted in Christ for salvation, depression should be as far from them as the east is from the west, as if they are now immune to depression, despair, and despondency. Now, to be sure, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10), but the joy of the Lord is not always present! In today’s passage of Scripture, we read that the great apostle Paul despaired even of life. If Paul got down, it should not surprise us when we too get down at times. But just like Paul, we have all that we need in Jesus to deal with our “down” so that we are never “out.”
Here are three truths to lift you out of what may feel like the ashes of defeat:
Jesus is FOR You
If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
Jesus is WITH You
“I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
Jesus is IN You
To [the saints] God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)
Like Paul, we all succumb to times of depression, despair, and despondency. We are not perfected yet, and we won’t be until we cross the Jordan. Until that day, there will be circumstances in life that will come against us in surprising and disheartening ways. When that happens, we must remember to keep our focus on Christ, not our circumstances. When we do that, we will be reminded of our Lord’s assurances that He is for us, He is with us, and He is in us.
Regardless of what you are facing today, remembering those three truths will help you rise above the waves of challenge that will inevitably crash over your life. As Paul also said, “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). When you do find yourself in periods of depression, despair, and despondency, remember that you are only down; you are never out!
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 