Our Daily Bread: Navigating the Bluesنموونە

Not Crushed

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. -2 CORINTHIANS 4:8–9

As Paul wrote to the Corinthians in today’s Scripture, he presented a vivid picture with words.

He acknowledged that the new Christians were having a rough time and were being attacked. They were dealing with trouble and persecution for various reasons, and he wanted to encourage them to not lose heart.

I think depression persecutes modern-day Christians; it’s an attack on the mind and causes us not to see ourselves as God sees us. That causes us to forget the benefits we have through prayer and through acknowledging who God is.

Who among us has not seen what God has done and can do—regardless of what we are going through? Paul’s writings can remind us today not to lose heart when we are persecuted or dealing with depression.

I like to review Paul’s words because they are vivid. Yes, we are hard-pressed, perplexed, and even persecuted and struck down. But after each of those descriptions, Paul acknowledges what we are not.

We are not crushed, we are not in despair, we are not abandoned, and we are not destroyed. Paul is not saying that trouble is not present. He’s not even wishing it away.

But he is reminding the Corinthians and us that whatever we are going through is not the end. It’s not going to take us out.

Whatever you are going through, repeat today’s verses and focus especially on the words that come after “but not.”

Use these truths to keep going and keep moving as you look for brighter days. You are not crushed. You are not in despair; you are not abandoned. You are not destroyed. Hallelujah!

MY CONFESSION

Depression will not destroy me.You may be struck down, but you are not destroyed.

Write down 2 Corinthians 4:8–9 from the version of the Bible that speaks to you most. Repeat these verses throughout the day to remind yourself that depression is not the end.

Holy God: Thank you for the reminder that this rough patch will not be the end of me. Help me to remember I’m not crushed, abandoned, or destroyed. Amen.

*This devotion is taken from Day 26 of Katara Washington Patton’s book Navigating the Blues: Where to Turn When Worry, Anxiety, or Depression Steals Your Hope.

Did you like this Reading Plan? There’s more!

Katara Washington Patton’s devotional Navigating the Blues: Where to Turn When Worry, Anxiety, or Depression Steals Your Hope contains 90 daily readings full of Scripture, godly wisdom, and reminders that even Jesus and His followers cried out to God during depressing times.

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