“We are like common clay jars that carry this glorious treasure within, so that the extraordinary overflow of power will be seen as God’s, not ours. Though we experience every kind of pressure, we’re not crushed. At times we don’t know what to do, but quitting is not an option. We are persecuted by others, but God has not forsaken us. We may be knocked down, but not out. We continually share in the death of Jesus in our own bodies so that the resurrection life of Jesus will be revealed through our humanity. We consider living to mean that we are constantly being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake so that the life of Jesus will be revealed through our humanity. So, then, death is at work in us but it releases life in you. We have the same Spirit of faith that is described in the Scriptures when it says, ‘First I believed, then I spoke in faith. “‘ 2 Corinthians 4:7-13a TPT
Most of us have been in situations where quitting, giving up, or giving in, would seemingly have made life a bit easier. It can be that in and through these instances, if we only allow Him, our God can surely shine. These are the times for the power and presence of Christ within us to demonstrate, not only to ourselves, but to all we encounter, the hope we have in Him. In this passage our bodies are being compared to clay pots, something easily broken. It’s not the outer shell, but the inner presence of His Spirit providing the power that strengths us to withstand. When life’s pressures attempt to knock us down, remembering that Jesus overcame, by his death and resurrection, and that this same Spirit of faith can also be ours, all for the asking.
Heavenly Father, help us to remember, that feeling as though we are at the end of our rope, simply enables Jesus to have opportunities to grow in and through us, and to those we encounter, and be ever so thankful.
In Christ Love
Margaret