Cast Down, but not Destroyed

“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; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” II Corinthians 4:8-10

Paul’s life as a missionary was full of peril and hardship. As if the physical rigors of travel were not enough, Paul was mocked, scorned, hated, persecuted, beaten, imprisoned, stoned, and left for dead; but he continued to press on in his efforts to reach the lost. There was trouble on every side, but he was not distressed. At times, he was perplexed, but never in despair. When he suffered persecution, he knew that he was not alone because God was with him. Many times he felt he had been cast down, but he never allowed himself to be destroyed. Paul recognized his troubles, but he refused to let them get the best of him. It was impossible to ignore the negative in his life, but he remained focused on the positive. He said, “I’m not distressed, not in despair, not forsaken, and not destroyed.” That sounds like someone who is determined to make the best of his situation. All of us face discouragement. We all have our hardships and difficulties. But we never have to allow ourselves to be defeated. We do not have to quit. We do not have to allow Satan to destroy us. Paul said that the challenges he faced made it possible for other people to see the life and power of Jesus Christ in his life. When you continue on in spite of hardship, others can see Jesus in you.