Despair can define your view of the future; instead, let hope refine your dreams for the future.

Cynthia Mascarenhas

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 

We are experiencing trouble on every side, but are not crushed; 

When trouble comes at you, you learn to fight a battle you may have not fought before. You develop a set of skills you never knew you had deep down within you

we are perplexed, but not driven to despair; 

You find out where your security lies – is it in your own abilities? Or is it in knowing and relying on the inimitable and unfailing favor of God?

we are persecuted, but not abandoned; 

Enduring through a trial is not easy; you may not prevail in every battle but you will ultimately win the war against evil, because you are not fighting alone.  The Lord Himself fights for you and with you…even when you cannot sense that He is.

we are knocked down, but not destroyed,

It is not easy to destroy someone whose HOPE is in the LORD; we trust not in chariots or horses, but we will call upon the name of the Lord

always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our body.

From the grave to VICTORY – that is the story of redemption.  As helpless as your circumstances may seem to be, and as much hardship as your enemy, the child of the devil, tries to impose on you, stand firm in your identity in Christ – for when you die to yourself, you rise up in Him.  

Let your life be a living rendition of the goodness and glory of God as He carries you from victory to victory in His mighty name.  AMEN!