message of
hope
Message of Hope is a weekly devotional written to provide encouragement and to spread the good news of the gospel in a real, relevant way. Become a Messenger of HOPE today!
Bruised But Not Broken
2 Corinthians 4:8 “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken.”
Back in the 70's, Timex's slogan was "It takes a licking and keeps on ticking". Financial disaster, divorce, a breakup, betrayal, a wayward child, sickness, unemployment...these are some of the licks that life hits us with. And let's be real, it hurts, and sometimes the pain lingers. It's like a sucker punch that's below the belt, and it comes with no apologies. No matter who we are or where we're from, we will encounter troubles, whether from friends, family, church folks, co-workers, unbelievers, or even strangers. So then how do we endure the "lickings" of life and keep on "ticking"? Paul is our messenger of hope today and lets us know that we can take a licking and keep on ticking if we endure and know that there is purpose in our suffering. After all that he went through, you'd think that he'd take Jobs' wife's advice to curse God and die. But he didn't, and he reminds us not to confuse what we're going through, with where we're going to. It might feel like an uphill battle, but remember that the rough side of the mountain provides the traction you need to get to the top. You may be bruised and your scars may be visible, but don’t hide what needs to be exposed. Some lessons we can only learn from pain and hardships. When you take a licking, you've got to keep on ticking. Don't isolate yourself, don't stop believing, and don't stop giving life your all. You may have failed, you may get knocked down, and you may even be guilty of inflicting some personal pain. But God is in every situation, with you on every side, in control of the ups and downs, and will strengthen you emotionally, spiritually, and mentally with every tick...tick...tick. You may be bruised but not broken.
Prayer: Father, thank you for lifting us up when life lets us down. Increase our faith to endure and to be a messenger of hope and encouragement to someone else who is taking a licking. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Bruised But Not Broken
2 Corinthians 4:8 “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken.”
Back in the 70's, Timex's slogan was "It takes a licking and keeps on ticking". Financial disaster, divorce, a breakup, betrayal, a wayward child, sickness, unemployment...these are some of the licks that life hits us with. And let's be real, it hurts, and sometimes the pain lingers. It's like a sucker punch that's below the belt, and it comes with no apologies. No matter who we are or where we're from, we will encounter troubles, whether from friends, family, church folks, co-workers, unbelievers, or even strangers. So then how do we endure the "lickings" of life and keep on "ticking"? Paul is our messenger of hope today and lets us know that we can take a licking and keep on ticking if we endure and know that there is purpose in our suffering. After all that he went through, you'd think that he'd take Jobs' wife's advice to curse God and die. But he didn't, and he reminds us not to confuse what we're going through, with where we're going to. It might feel like an uphill battle, but remember that the rough side of the mountain provides the traction you need to get to the top. You may be bruised and your scars may be visible, but don’t hide what needs to be exposed. Some lessons we can only learn from pain and hardships. When you take a licking, you've got to keep on ticking. Don't isolate yourself, don't stop believing, and don't stop giving life your all. You may have failed, you may get knocked down, and you may even be guilty of inflicting some personal pain. But God is in every situation, with you on every side, in control of the ups and downs, and will strengthen you emotionally, spiritually, and mentally with every tick...tick...tick. You may be bruised but not broken.
Prayer: Father, thank you for lifting us up when life lets us down. Increase our faith to endure and to be a messenger of hope and encouragement to someone else who is taking a licking. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
