Phyllis Bottome said, “There are two ways of meeting difficulties: you alter the difficulties or you alter yourself meeting them.” In the burden of the Corinthians and their forgiveness of the one who had sinned (1 Corinthians 5:1-2), Paul expressed comfort for their doing right in the midst of that burden (2 Corinthians 1:3-10).
We are tempted to be weak in temptation. When this takes place, fear is the culprit. Jesus said,“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). We are also tempted to be faint when problems strike. To help encourage us Paul wrote, “Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory” (Ephesians 3:13).
When weighed down, we need to lean on the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6). We can lean on Him because He is the Almighty God and able to produce good from suffering. Peter said, “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you” (1 Peter 5:10).
When you’re weighed down, do you feel like you can lean on the Lord? The ones who know the Lord can lean on Him, but those who know the Lord are the ones who have obeyed Him. Have you believed, repented, confessed, and been baptized? Make sure that you’re an obedient follower of Jesus (Matthew 7:21-23), and then let the Lord help you with your troubles.
Kyle Campbell
