Stronger Than Before

Read 2 Corinthians 4: 7-16

But this precious treasure - this light and power that now shine within us - is held in a perishable container, that is, in our weak bodies. Everyone can see that the glorious power within must be from God and is not our own.

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don't know why things happen as they do, but we don't give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. These bodies of ours are constantly facing death just as Jesus did; so it is clear to all that it is only the living Christ within [who keeps us safe]. 2 Corinthians 4: 7-10 (TLB)

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our inner strength in the Lord is growing every day.

2 Corinthians 4:16 (TLB)

Manasi Mohanty, from Odisha, India, was driving her daughter home from school when they got stuck in traffic due to road maintenance work. Manasi was in a hurry, so she complained: "What have they done to the road? They've dug such big holes that we can't even get through." In response to her complaints, her daughter asked, "Mama, if they don't dig and break the road, then how will they make it new?"

This statement made Manasi think about how similar our Christian life is. When we go through difficult situations and unwelcome seasons, we feel broken and shattered. In those moments we often question God. We forget that in our brokenness, God can mold and shape us and ultimately bring us back to the path we need to be on. God will rebuild us even stronger than before. Our experiences can then become a testimony so that others may also have hope. Even when it feels like we are being broken, God is always building us up.

Prayer: O God, make us into the people you want us to be. When we feel broken, give us hope as we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.