Tag: 2 Corinthians 12:9

The Anchored Soul – Day 32 – Held When You Can’t Hold On

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Psalm 18:16: He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.

There are seasons when the trial isn’t merely difficult; it is overwhelming. Whether you are walking through the shadow of a debilitating illness, the agonizing pain of a fractured marriage, or the deep heartache of a wayward child, the feeling is often the same: you are holding on by that ever so thin, fraying strand.

Psalm 55:4-5 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.

In these moments, words of encouragement fall flat. The body aches, the heart breaks, and human wisdom offers no clear way forward. You may feel as though you have reached the absolute end of your strength, staring down an abyss of uncertainty.

When you reach the end of your rope, you come to a profound realization: you were never meant to carry the weight of this world on your own. The Lord does not ask you to manufacture strength when you have none left to give. It is precisely in our utter helplessness that His power is made plain.

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Your weakness is not a failure of faith; it is the very place where God displays His strength. When the marriage seems past repair, when the child strays into deep darkness, or when the body declines, God’s capacity to uphold you remains completely unshaken.

The Bible’s invitation is not to hold on tighter to the frayed thread, but to release the burden entirely into the hands of the One who holds all things together.

Psalm 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

He does not promise an immediate end to every trial, but He promises His unfailing presence through the trial. You do not have to pull yourself up; He lowers Himself to lift you out.

When you feel forgotten, abandoned, or pressed beyond measure, remember that the Lord sees the exact depth of your anguish. His faithfulness does not depend on your remaining strength.

Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Psalm 34:18-19 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.”

Rest today in knowing that when your hands slip and your strength gives out, the everlasting arms beneath you will never fail.

Lord God, I come to You at the end of my strength. The weight of this struggle is too heavy for me to bear, and my heart is broken. Forgive me for trying to carry this alone. I cast my cares, my heartaches, my family, and my body into Your hands. Be my strength where I am weak, my peace where there is chaos, and my refuge in this storm. Hold me fast when I cannot hold on any longer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Anchored Soul – Day 20 – Grace for the Weary Body

On By KateIn Devotionals, The Anchored Soul2 Comments

2 Corinthians 4:16–18: “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

2 Corinthians 12:9: “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

When a physical trial stretches on year after year, the weight can feel crushing, especially when the path doesn’t remain steady, but grows more painful with time. It is one thing to endure a manageable, lingering illness; it is quite another to watch your strength weaken as physical pain steadily intensifies over the years. Waking up to increasing pain and deepening limitation has a way of stripping away every last illusion of self-sufficiency. Yet, it is precisely in the face of worsening pain that the Gospel speaks with profound, steadying sweetness.

The Apostle Paul understood the reality of an unrelenting “thorn in the flesh.” He prayed three times for its removal, but God’s answer was not an immediate end to the suffering. No, in fact it was an ongoing supply of supernatural strength. God told him, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” Notice that God does not give us a single, fixed reservoir of grace for our entire life; He supplies fresh grace tailored specifically to match every new level of pain and weariness you face. As the trial grows harder, His capacity to sustain you grows deeper.

While long-term illness causes the “outward man” to decline and ache, God uses that very suffering to do a quiet, eternal work within your soul. Even as the physical distress increases, your “inward man” is being renewed day by day. God is gently shifting your heart’s focus away from the temporal: the rising pain levels, the failing body, are all going to be placed firmly on the invisible, eternal weight of glory that lies ahead.

Your enduring pain is not wasted. It is actively producing in you a depth of faith, patience, and reliance on Christ that smooth paths could never yield. When your physical capacity is completely spent, the strength of Christ rests upon you most visibly. You do not need to figure out how to handle future years of worsening pain today; you only need God’s grace for this moment, this surge of discomfort, and this breath.

Dear reader, hold fast to the promise that Jesus sees every silent tear, knows the exact depth of your anguish, and will one day trade your broken, aching body for a glorious, eternal one that will never experience pain again.

Reflect: How can I surrender the fear of tomorrow’s pain to God and lean entirely on the grace He promises for today?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know how long this trial has lasted and how the pain has only grown heavier over the years. When my body breaks and the suffering intensifies, remind me that Your grace expands to meet my weakness. Renew my inner spirit today, guard my heart against despair, and keep my eyes fixed on the eternal glory where pain will be no more. Amen.

Do Not Be Afraid – Day 6

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Revelation 1:17  And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

I love how Jesus knows us so intimately. He recognizes our fears and touches us, reminding us not to be afraid, as He reaches out with His unwavering love even in our darkest moments. There have been times in my own life where the enemy worked through my circumstances to cause me to be afraid, sowing seeds of anxiety that threatened to overwhelm me. It was only through the prayers of friends and family, who stood by me, that I found the strength to keep looking upward, lifting my gaze beyond those shadows of uncertainty. Their steadfast support and faith reminded me of the power of Christian brothers and sisters, helping me on this path toward hope and reaffirming that I am never alone in my struggles.

Matthew 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Psalm 23:3  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Psalm 56:3  What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

It is good for believers to commit Bible verses to memory so they can turn to their “arsenal” when they are afraid. This arsenal helps them to draw upon truths that have the power to uplift and bolster their spirits in trying times. God’s Word possesses the extraordinary power to help Christians overcome life’s various challenges, and it guides them through periods of doubt, anxiety, and despair. It should be a vital part of a believer’s everyday life, serving not only as a source of comfort but also as a reminder of the unwavering love and support that God offers. Even when I can’t remember the Bible reference or the exact wording, I am able to encourage myself with what I remember. Each time those cherished verses resonate in my heart and mind. For instance, I recently went through a series of medical tests which tested me in the area of fear, pushing me to confront the uncertainties about my health. In those moments of anxiety, I quoted Psalm 23 to myself and was greatly encouraged, finding solace in its promise of the Lord’s love, guidance, and protection. The fear left and was replaced with peace, allowing me to face my situation with renewed strength and assurance, confident that I am never alone in my struggles.

I heard a message recently where the Pastor quoted St. Augustine and it had a profound impact on me:

God loves each of us as if there was only one of us. St. Augustine

Fear can destroy a believer’s peace, undermining the very foundation of their faith and trust in God. It is no wonder that the Lord gave us so many verses to help us with that fear! His Word serves as a powerful reminder and a comfort to our troubled hearts during trying times. The enemy wants the believer to fall into his trap of fear because he knows in doing so, we will be ineffective for Christ, crippling our ability to spread His love and truth. It is in our weaknesses that Christ’s power is revealed to the unbelieving world, showing that even in our lowest moments, His strength can shine through us. As the beloved Apostle Paul said, “my strength is made perfect in weakness,” reminding us that reliance on Christ transforms our fears into opportunities for His glory. Through prayer and the promises found in Scripture, we can combat our fear and embrace the peace that only comes from our Saviour.

2 Corinthians 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

The believer is equipped with everything he needs to live out the Christian life. The unbeliever does not have that ability and will easily fall into the hands of the enemy. If you are not 100% certain that you will go to Heaven when you die, won’t you make that decision now? Follow this link and you will be able to read the Bible verses that will lead you to the peace I speak of.

How Long Must I Wait?

On By KateIn Devotionals, Hymns for TodayLeave a comment

There have been trials in my life where there was nothing more that I could do to remedy them. I was at the end of my rope, just clinging to hope. What is this hope, you may ask? Well, hope is not something that comes naturally to anyone. It is developed, like a good muscle. But to the believer, hope is something we don’t see, but we believe in faith that God will work everything out in His time.

Psalm 42:5  Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

Hope does not bring my trial to an end, but it encourages me along the way despite the tumultuous waves! I think of Peter’s faith as he attempted to walk on the water to meet Jesus. (Matthew 14:22-33) When he saw the boisterous wind, he took his eyes off Jesus (who was right in front of him) and began to sink. There’s a lesson in there for us. We may not have Jesus right there in front of us visually, but we have His Holy Spirit living within us. Therefore, He is with us all the time! I’m sure you’ve heard countless messages on this very topic. However, have you personally learned this lesson through your own trial?

The enemy loves to do his work during the turmoil of life. This is where he digs his feet in and pursues every angle he can in order to cause you to sink deeper into your despair. But friend, there is hope in Jesus! Jesus does not cause anxiety but relieves it when we allow Him to do so. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Are you in the midst of a trial? Is your trial one that will never go away, such as health issues? This is the hardest one because you can never escape it, unless God miraculously heals you. However, when this is not the case, you must fix your eyes on Jesus. I think of the Apostle Paul asking the Lord to remove the thorn from his side. But Jesus responded:

2 Corinthians 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

When we are at our weakest, God knows that we have no where to go for help but to Him; just as Peter had no where to turn but to Jesus. It is here that His strength can be found to withstand the trial, day in and day out. It is there you will find the power to withstand the hardship. It is there that the Lord will hear your faintest whisper of despair. It is in this trial that you will find ways in the Scriptures to keep you going forward for the Lord.

The word temptation is mostly used as it relates to being tempted to sin. However, it is interesting to find that the Greek word implies more than that:

πειρασμός
peirasmos
pi-ras-mos’
From G3985; a putting to proof (by experiment [of good], experience [of evil], solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication adversity: – temptation, X try.

We see this usage in the verse below. God is faithful and will provide a way for you to bear your trial. He will provide you with the strength to carry on.

1 Corinthians 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Through every trial, the believer can find comfort in reading the Scriptures. It is there that we find our strength and will to persist. This is the “escape” spoken in the verse above. In the Scriptures, the downtrodden believer can find light at the end of the tunnel. The believer can see the morning’s sun rise after the darkest night of despair. I love today’s hymn for this very reason. Although it does not appear that the writer was a believer, but the Lord sure used him to pen words that are such a blessing!

Whispering Hope – by Septimus Winner (pseudonym Alice Hawthorne)

1 Soft as the voice of an angel,
Breathing a lesson unheard,
Hope with a gentle persuasion,
Whispers her comforting word.
Wait till the darkness is over,
Wait till the tempest is done,
Hope for the sunshine tomorrow,
After the shower is gone.

Chorus:
Whispering Hope
O how welcome thy voice,
Making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.

2 If in the dusk of the twilight,
Dim be the region afar,
Will not the deepening darkness
Brighten the glimmering star?
Then when the night is upon us,
Why should the heart sink away?
When the dark midnight is over,
Watch for the breaking of day. [Chorus]

3 Hope as an anchor so steadfast,
Rends the dark veil for the soul,
Whither the Master has entered,
Robbing the grave of its goal.
Come then, O come, glad fruition,
Come to my sad weary heart,
Come, O Thou blest hope of glory,
Never, O never depart. [Chorus]
O blessed Hope!

If you are desperately looking for this hope I speak of and have never been born again, please follow this link and it will show you how to be born again according to the Scriptures.

Peace Through Troubled Times – Natural Disasters

On By KateIn Devotionals, Peace Through Troubled Times2 Comments

(Psa 57:1-2)  To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. (2)  I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.

Although David wrote this Psalm while he was hiding from King Saul, the sinking feeling of helplessness is the same as going through a natural disaster where you have no control over the results. Amen? I feel for people who live in tornado alley, in the path of a volcano, or where hurricanes frequent the most. Disastrous occasions seem to bring people to their knees. Sometimes that reaction is short-lived. When I think of 9/11, I remember churches being full because of the fear that entered America’s hearts. But it was indeed short-lived. It wasn’t long before America stopped frequenting the churches and went back to their everyday lives. Are you counted amongst those, Reader?

Psa 46:1-2  To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  (2)  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

If you are amongst those who abandoned God after the possibility of being spiritually awakened, you may very well be telling God you are no longer interested in His appeals. How awful for anyone who has reached this point.

Isa 66:4  I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.

For those who listened to God’s call and became born-again believers, God has countless promises in His Word for you! Born-again believers have an advantage over those who are not Christians. God promises peace and comfort when we dive into the Bible. It can be found within its pages, Christian. I especially love Psalms because David poured his heart out to God and penned those words. Those who love God’s Word reap its benefit to this day!

I have been through a natural disaster back in July of 1983 when I lived with my sister’s family in Baton Rouge, LA. A flood occurred when the drainage could not keep up and about three feet of water covered many streets. We were rescued by boat and brought to a safe place. It was three days before we could return to the house we were staying in and what a mess it was. I praise the Lord for strength of body to clean up and for the Red Cross to help with items that were lost. It was quite traumatic for me because my husband was in school several hours away. Although I had my sister and her family with me, it wasn’t the same as having my husband. But God’s peace surrounded me, and I was not afraid because I knew He would take care of the details. This was not of my own doing but totally God-given.

Psa 119:49-50  ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.  (50)  This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

Dearest Reader, if you find yourself in the midst of a natural disaster, turn to the One who can give you comfort during the darkest hours. Granted, the verse below is referencing to the Apostle Paul’s petitions to God to remove a “thorn in the flesh.” However, God’s grace is sufficient for us during a natural disaster. His strength is revealed in how you handle that storm of life. People are watching you whether you know it or not. When they see your peace instead of fear, they will wonder why! (Philippians 4:7)

2 Corinthians 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

If you are not truly born-again, you go through your trial alone. You do not have God by your side, helping you every step of the way. Reader, there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!