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

How about us?  Are we pressed on every side?  I assume this means that we are bombarded with questions with few answers, just pressure.   Pressures come to all who follow Jesus who knows the pathos of the Cross.

Am I perplexed?  This, also, is not foreign to the followers of Jesus.   Paul writes that being perplexed is to be expected, but the solution is not in being able to give a satisfactory reason as to why we feel perplexed.  We might be perplexed but not in despair.  Not fully understanding is common to us all.

Am I persecuted?  All believers will experience that.  Being persecuted has a marvelous side, if we stand firm we are not abandoned.

Am I struck down?  Knocked over, so to speak, for a moment?  Maybe, but not destroyed, in fact, renewed.

Our brother Paul, who experienced life in Christ with all its challenges, encourages us to press on, believing just like he did.