Devotion: Adversity
But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also bevisible in our bodies.So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4: 7-12, 16-18
“On a scale of 1-10, what would you say your level of pain is right now? One being no pain to 10 being unbearable pain.” Words spoken by doctors, nurses, emergency medical staff when assessing our physical pain.
Adversity comes in varying degrees involving physical and emotional pain. It’s different for all people and all ages. A small child who has lost his favorite “blankie”, being bullied at school, failing a critical exam, having your job terminated, battling a terminal illness, experiencing a divorce, falling deeper into debt, losing a loved one. All of these and many more bring us to our knees. Our levels of emotional and physical distress go up and down on the pain scale.
We’re not alone. Jesus experienced his own forms of physical and emotional pain too. He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, grieved the death of Lazarus, was questioned and doubted by his own disciples, betrayed by Judas, suffered public humiliation and torture leading to death on the cross. He understands our pain. He gets it!
The scripture talks about this treasure we have in clay jars. God formed us out of clay, making us earthen vessels. We are all walking around as “cracked pots” suffering from our own struggles. Some may have chips and hairline cracks while others go much deeper. We are not to stress over our imperfection, but take heart.
Our inner nature is being renewed each and every day when we fill ourselves with God’s word and His overflowing love and grace. He will take us, cracked pots and all, and restore us again in His eternal kingdom. We will look at what cannot be seen and have faith in what God has promised us—-eternal life with Him.
Heavenly Father, Fill our cracked pots with hope and comfort that we will be restored in you. Strengthen our faith to believe in what cannot be seen, but is eternal. We put our trust in you. Amen.
Written by Janece Nelson