Pressed but not crushed

(2 Corinthians 4:7-9 NLT) We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.

Our purpose in this life and the one to come is to bring glory to our Lord and Savior. We do that through the way we live and this life of Christ living in us will naturally bring other believers to Him and not us, pointing the way for more and more to see and know the Truth. For those who do not yet know Jesus the truth has been hidden by an enemy they are unaware of. In the end God will raise us, as Jesus was risen and a great multitude will praise Him for all that He has done and for who He is. So do not despair, do not fear, for God is with you, as you remain in Him. Press on towards the mark for that which awaits us far out shines the darkness we now face. The day will come when the One we believe in will wipe the tears from our faces and we will take His hand as we are led into our final destination, which is not the end but the beginning for we cannot even imagine what is in store for those who decided to follow the One who guides our spirits in this short time we like to call ours.

(2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NLT) That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

(Psalms 9:1-4 MSG) A David psalm. I'm thanking you, GOD, from a full heart, I'm writing the book on your wonders. I'm whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy; I'm singing your song, High God. The day my enemies turned tail and ran, they stumbled on you and fell on their faces. You took over and set everything right; when I needed you, you were there, taking charge.