Troubled on Every Side...yet NOT Distressed!

In recent years it seems as if all hell has broken loose in this world.  There seems to be trouble everywhere.  I'm not just talking of wars and foreign affairs but trouble in our own backyard.  Our country and our own lives are in a state of crisis.  Things are just falling apart!

 

We have family troubles too numerous to mention, financial troubles, health problems and employment issues.  There has even been troubles with the weather.  We have had a drought and now ferocious storms are tearing things up.  You name it, there is some kind of trouble in just about every aspect of our lives and nothing seems to be getting any easier nor does it seem as if these troubles are going to end any time soon and people everywhere are going berzerk.

Sounds depressing doesn't it?

However, I am reminded of God's inspired word as written by the Apostle Paul...

We are troubled on every side, yet NOT distressed; we are perplexed, but NOT in despair; persecuted, but NOT forsaken; cast down, but NOT destroyed.  2 Corinthians 4:8-9

What? How can this be?..Troubled, yet not distressed?  Did the Apostle Paul have a secret we don't know about?  How can he have peace in the midst of crisis?

He gave the answer to this mystery in the scripture just preceding the above passage...

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

2 Corinthians 4:6

We are the earthen vessel, the treasure is the Holy Ghost. When we are filled with the Holy Ghost we receive the power to be able to endure trouble but not be distressed and by that, others can see the excellency of the power of God's Spirit in us and glorify Him.  

Jesus described it like this...

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father has sent in my name, shall teach you all things; and bring to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  John 14:26-27

Jesus Christ has sent us peace in the midst of a troubled world.  This peace is the gift of the Holy Ghost.

You too can have peace in the midst of your crisis by receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost today.  Yes, we are in deed troubled on every side, yet not distressed because Jesus is our comforter.  He is our peace and he can be yours too.  Please don't hesitate to call on the Lord in your time of trouble and ask him for this gift of peace which he sent in his name to ALL that would receive Him.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3