8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
II Corinthians 4:8-10 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/2co.4.8-10.NKJV.
The writer of the Book of 2 Corinthians was a man who knew the meaning of persecution, abandonment and being struck down. His story is depicted in detail in the book of Acts of the Apostles. It’s said that wherever Paul set foot, a riot or a revival would be the result. At times, there was both. On several occasions he was left for the dead after lynching attempts. He had to bear with the elements, be on the run like a fugitive, swim to the shore after his ship capsized, attacked by a mob, thrown into the cells etc all because of a cause he so vehemently opposed before. Surely Paul must have flirted with the thought of giving up. But he didn’t. He knew that in the midst of all these challenges, God was in the picture. Remember the story of Job of old. God was also in the picture during his tribulations. What made these two individuals stand out was their desire not to give up but to keep on pressing on towards the goal (as Paul puts it in another scripture). Why do we still have it rough while pursuing what God has ordained us for? Why do we often seem to struggle as we trudge along? Discovering our purpose and pursuing it might not be an easy road after all. Paul’s purpose was to take the gospel to the Gentiles. Yet he faced the most resistance there. What’s your purpose? Pursue it. Follow after it as long as you know that God is calling you to it. But remember that you will be… persecuted yet not abandoned…struck down but yet not destroyed. It will not be an easy ride but the victory belongs to those who persevere to the end. There is no room for failure. So press on. Peace.
LIFE SCRIPTS 
Leave a comment