Wednesday, June 19, 2019

June 19 Thought for the day...overcoming the overwhelming


As human beings, we have had at least a time or two in our lives when we have felt mentally overwhelmed. Sometimes it is depression or anxiety. Sometimes it is dread or fear. Sometimes too many deadlines or any number of things. Paul had the same struggles

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, 10 who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, 2 Corinthians 1:8-10

Paul was in trouble. It may have been some kind of physical ordeal, but it definitely was some great mental anguish. The word he uses for "trouble" means to have an extremely heavy, crushing load on you. It would be like a heavy boulder being slowly dropped on you.

When he is talking about being "burdened beyond measure," it means that excessive beyond anything that a person would normally face. Then you add to that "above" strength. Paul is piling phrase on top of phrase to express the point that this is difficult beyond measure and that normal human strength was not enough for the anguish he was going through in Asia.

Have you ever felt that overwhelmed? Have you ever felt so worried, anxious, depressed? Paul is talking about that exactly. The enemy was attacking him mentally, emotionally in such a way that he almost felt completely overwhelmed.

The phrase "despaired even for life" coupled with the phrase "sentence of death" means they felt utterly hopeless and by everything that they saw in the physical realm they were dead, they felt as if they were not going to survive. Have you been in that place? You may be in that place right now.

Paul is not saying this for us to feel sorry for him or to pity him, but so that we might understand how overwhelming the mental and emotional strains were on him and his team. The assault was intense, but Paul didn't give up or give in. He keeps pressing forward despite the intensity. He did not give up and told us that God stood with him even in this impossible situation and delivered them.

The key to overcoming overwhelming mental and physical strain and attacks is to keep pushing into the Lord. Do not back off, keep your eyes on Him your heart and attitude submitted to Him and then expect His deliverance. He will not fail you! He is not capable of failing you!

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