Pressure
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
2 Corinthians 1 : 8 (NKJV)
Paul and Silas were being real with the church at Corinth. They told them of the trouble they faced – they had gone through pressure! The kind you feel when you can’t take it anymore. The kind you feel when you’re at your wits end and aren’t sure what to do. The kind you feel when you’ve had enough.
We’ve all been through pressure, but here is a man who is no stranger to trials. Who was cast into prison for doing a good deed, and though beaten and mistreated, found strength to praise the Lord. God responded with an earthquake, shaking the prison, and the keeper of the jail became the latest convert (Acts 16: 16 – 34). Here is a man who was stoned and persecuted. He was viewed as public enemy number one, as people followed him from city to city to raise trouble against him (Acts 14: 19 – 20). He was no stranger to difficult times. Despite this, he expressed in his letter that he and Timothy were “burdened beyond measure”. Firstly, Paul was not writing to fellow apostles or persons on the same leadership level. Rather, he was writing to people he mentored and encouraged in God. Yet, He opened up about a rough spot in his life, a difficult moment that he endured. After this, came the testimony or statement of faith – they trusted God.
They were in a situation where trusting in themselves just would not do. They had trusted God in the past, they were trusting God for the present, and would continue to trust in God for his delivering power in the future.
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 : 9 – 10 (NKJV)
In another passage, Paul sought God’s deliverance three times for the same problem. God did not make the situation better, (though He was capable), but instead instructed Paul to lean on His grace.
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12 : 9
We would all rather to not have to trust God. We would all rather smooth times, where we go about our merry way, thanking Him for blessings and enjoying life. But God gives us seasons to develop our trust in Him. Married couples, best friends and parents and children will tell you that good relationships are based on trust. Since God is a covenant-keeping God, He is capable of fulfilling promises (Deuteronomy 7 : 9). Since He is omnipotent, there is nothing He cannot do (Jeremiah 32 : 17, Genesis 18 : 14). Let’s trust Him with everything that lies ahead. Part of trust requires not having all the answers and not seeing the way out, but persistently believing in God. It requires continuously holding fast that His Word is unchanging, His character is unwavering, and He remains above all.
When you feel “burdened beyond measure”, or you can’t even express how you feel, trust God. Your Heavenly Father knows what you need, even before you ask (Matthew 6 : 8). That includes the areas that our character needs to be strengthened, and our faith in God developed or restored. The God who knows all things will see you through.
Trust God!
It’s easier said than done, but He gives grace! May He give us all grace to accomplish His tasks even in difficult seasons of life, and to have a deeper and closer walk with Him. After your current difficult season has passed, you will need to trust God in future ones as well. As you trust Him, His will, His timing and His plan, may your heart be at rest and may you take comfort in knowing that He’s in control.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3 : 5 – 6 (NKJV)
Kamaria Jordan
Kamaria Jordan is a spoken word minister, poet and author. She is from Trinidad and Tobago, but currently calls Grenada home. She loves Jesus and enjoys encouraging others daily with his word. Visit her instagram page for more of her work.
