The Fizz Is Intact

Afflicted in every way….

2 Corinthians 4:8”We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair…”

Listen! Are you just traumatized and dumbstruck by the avalanche of sudden problems that has come upon you and you wonder ‘hey, why me and why does it all come at one stroke?’ It happens. Just when we needed transport both the bike and the car were under repairs, the servant was away, both the teachers working in our school quit, all this happens on one single day, just when you need a hug and comforting word, people behave nastily with you, few of our specially nurtured kids in our Abide Angel Home leave suddenly and a lot more ! Does it deserve a jig? I think it deserves; it is lot more fun to pray more during such times rather than mourn with self pity. Friend, when you are confronted with hindrances, harassment and loads and loads of troubles, the challenge is to make it work and not be browbeaten! Are you listening? I am speaking to someone out there who needs this encouraging word this morning!

Let me reiterate the words that I want to sink into your mind and heart – afflicted in every way. Why do I want them to permeate into you? So that you are not alarmed when all around you suddenly caves in; prepare for it and know that the Bible has already warned you about it! You know what, I kept memorizing the above scripture and kept telling, ‘I’m not crushed’ and it did pump rocket energy into me. None would tell that I was going through tremendous pressure in every sphere of our ministry! Such is the power of His Word!

New converted Christians are sometimes confused when they think that everything should go perfectly, that there should be no more difficulties. Some believers may even wonder if they’re at fault, that maybe if they just had more faith, the hard times would go away. When you put your faith in Christ you will experience pressures and persecution. Paul told the Thessalonians ahead of time that problems would come. 1 Thessalonians 3:3 “That no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed for this.”

Dear friends, that’s one reason we need to be equipped with the knowledge of the Bible which would refresh us and comfort us with God’s promises and teach us to endure the heat and go through the problems instead of rebelling and complaining. Are you weighed down, cast away every burden in the Name of Jesus, cast away every negative thoughts planted by the enemy in the Name of Jesus, cast away the fear, depression, rejection and loneliness in the Name of Jesus.

When Hudson Taylor finally landed Shanghai on March 1, 1854 after several years of dreaming and preparing to serve as a missionary in China, he found himself surrounded with difficulties that were totally unexpected. There was war in that part of the city and danger lurked in the air! Despite utter loneliness, hunger, helplessness, hopelessness, sleeplessness, Hudson Taylor praised the Lord in the midst of it all; the fizz was intact, he said, ‘what circumstances could have rendered the Word of God sweeter, and the presence of God so real?’