Thankful & Blessed

Based on 2 Corinthians 4-5, Proverbs 6

"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;" 2 Corinthians 4:8‭-‬9

Our daily devotions from Sister Sagil with our Zoom Ladies Fellowship group have really helped to realize what the real trouble of all of this mess is. It's not in what we are going through, it's how we handle it! "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair..."

We might have a crazy day here & there. We may not always have a plan-but God does! We must be thankful, and we are blessed to be safe in our homes. As crazy as things can be, some families long for that craziness back if they are being hospitalized right now.

We may be desperate, but we are not in despair! That quote from one of our past meetings has really stuck with me. We are desperate, looking for hope & change, but the difference between that & despair is that there's still something to reach for! There's still hope, and Jesus is always the answer. In knowing this, we will never be in a place of emptiness and despair, with no hope & nothing to look forward to. We always have Jesus!

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;" 2 Corinthians 4:17

This light affliction is temporary, but God's glory is eternal! If we endure until the end, with a right heart & spirit, we will have no end! In following God's Word closely each uncertain day, we will have a certain future!

"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:18

Aren't we tired of relying on what we can see? It's not proving to be any good right now! There are a lot of things going on which can push us to the point of despair...so let's focus on the spiritual things! The eternal things! We need to look at what God is doing behind the mess of our days. We need to look for the little things, not focus on the big problems. We need to see what lessons God may be trying to teach us...patience might just be one of them!

"And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again." 2 Corinthians 5:15

Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice...all so that we could live for Him! In death He gave us life, so let's not live for our temporary comforts & material things. Let's not wait in despair for our old life to return, but let's have a desperation for God each day through His eternal Word which leads us to liberation!

"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."
2 Corinthians 5:20

We have a job to do! We can't sit amidst the precious treasure of Truth and not share it! We have to be ambassadors for Christ, especially now! Any way we can speak life, we need to do it! We need to bring people out of despair and show them that there's something to reach for! Something to be desperate for-a life in Jesus Christ!

"When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:"
Proverbs 6:22‭-‬23

We are so thankful & blessed to have our families, God's Word, and the hope & light His Word brings into our lives. Let the light shine to everyone you know! :)