GREAT PRESSURE
2 Corinthians 1:8 (NIV) We do not want you to be uniformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.
I guess it is ok to let people know what is going on in your life. It doesn’t seem to have to be a secret in order for you to stay in faith. I like that Paul is telling the church what happened. I think, sometimes, in the desire to stay in faith, we try to keep others out of our business. Now, I know you know people who talk too much, complain too much, and overshare, but I think most people, especially people of faith, don’t let others in on what is going on in their lives. They are of the attitude, “It’s just me and Jesus.” That isolation is dangerous. Everybody needs people to help them, speak into their lives; and if they fall down, they need someone there to pick them up. Paul and those with him experienced so much pressure that they were despairing of life itself. Within themselves, they didn’t know if they could make it or even if they wanted to make it.
The pressures of life come to everyone. What you and I do with those pressures determine whether we make it or not. Pressure comes to take you out, but God will turn what the devil meant to destroy you with and turn it for your good when you don’t let the pressure of it get to you. Pressure from the enemy will produce worry and stress. These are both mental and emotional strains in our life that can lead to many serious things, even for some people death. The Word has a lot to say about what we do with this pressure, stress, strain, and worry. The one we are most familiar with is Philippians 4:6 that says we shouldn’t worry about anything but instead pray. In 1 Peter 5:7, it says to cast the total weight of your anxiety upon the Lord because He care for you. Jesus was very strong about this in Matthew 6. Over and over again, He says not to worry about the things the heathens seek but instead seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
In 2 Corinthians 1:9, it goes on to tell us that we should not trust in ourselves but only in God who raises the dead. I think He is saying, “Even if this looks like the end, I can raise it up; I got you!” Verse 10 then goes on to say He has delivered us, He is delivering us, and He will always deliver us.
You don’t have to keep it to yourself. Find some friends who will help you cast the care of it on the Lord, someone who will help you pray, and someone who will help you seek the Kingdom of God and the King Himself. Let go of any false pretense that you can deliver and save yourself. Only rely on God because He has delivered you, He is delivering you, and He will always deliver you!