Afflicted. Perplexed. Persecuted. Struck down. My guess is that, on some level, you can relate with Paul’s expressions here. What affliction is threatening to crush you right now? What suffering is testing your faith?
Lyme disease threatens me (Kristen). Because of Lyme and its ill effects, physical pain and weakness are my frequent visitors. There are times when, after an extended period of feeling well, stable, and hopeful, they rebound with a vengeance. I reach my limit during these regressions, as my faith feels pressed and my struggle to believe the gospel intensifies—and out pour the tears.
I am tempted to believe that because I am afflicted in certain ways, I cannot get out of the downward spiral toward being crushed in spirit as well as in body. In those moments, I long to affirm this beautiful truth: I am afflicted in every way, but not crushed.
So how can we learn to say along with Paul, we are afflicted, but not crushed? We look to the Cross. Jesus was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. God has taken our gravest affliction—death—and has overcome it in Christ, so that we would never be overcome by it. The Father crushed his Son so that we would never be crushed by sin and death, so that we would spend an eternity of joy in his presence.
Kristen Wetherell and Sarah Walton are coauthors of Hope When It Hurts: Biblical Reflections to Help You Grasp God's Purpose in Your Suffering (The Good Book Company). Kristen blogs at www.UnlockingtheBible.org. Sarah blogs at www.SetApart.net.
