Happiness During Trouble
Is it possible to be happy during times of struggle and trouble? The Apostle Paul certainly thought that it was, and he knew something about trouble!
In fact, Paul knew a lot about times of trouble. Shipwrecked, left for dead, beaten and run out of town, these were the experiences of Paul as he shared the Gospel across the Roman world. He knew a lot about troubles of various kinds. So it’s interesting to read what he wrote on the subject. One key passage is found in 2 Corinthians, chapter four:
Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed butnot in despair; we are persecuted but not abandonded; we are struck down but not destroyed. We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so tht the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who live are always given over to death because of Jesus, so the Jesus' life may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you. And since we have the same spirit of faith in accordance with what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we also believe, and therefore speak, knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and present us with you. For all this is because of you, so that grace, extended through more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to overflow to God's glory. Therefore we do not give up; even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an abdlutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:7-18)
The Christians in Corinth must have known troubling times themselves; otherwise there would have been no reason for Paul to include this section in his letter. We can read and learn of the troubles – inside and outside the church in Corinth – that they faced. But for now it is enough to know that they were familiar with trouble!
Beginning in verse 7, Paul says: “we have this treasure in clay jars.” The “clay jars” refers to our flesh. Clay jars are easily broken; drop one and it will break apart and be no longer useful. Likewise, our flesh is easily broken, becoming no longer useful for mighty tasks; and sometimes, useful for almost no tasks at all.
The “treasure” that we carry in these fragile bodies is the truth of the Gospel. The Light that Jesus is the Savior come into the world; that forgiveness is available. The fact that our weak flesh carries such a precious treasure provides continuing evidence that the power in our lives is not from us, but from God. These clay jars carrying precious treasure, bring honor and glory to God. We continually testify to His presence and power.
Therefore, with that foundation Paul begins discussing the various kinds of trouble we often may encounter.
“We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed.” (vs. 8-9)
Notice the four areas of trouble Paul mentions. We may be…
a. Pressured in every way… but not crushed.
b. Perplexed…but not in despair.
c. Persecuted…but not abandoned.
d. Struck down…but not destroyed.
With each of these, the trouble results in us usually feeling a certain emotion; we have an emotional response when we experience troubles. When under great and various pressures, we tend to feel overwhelmed. Paul says “crushed.” Not that we are crushed, but just the opposite. The point is people without Jesus experience various pressures and may be crushed emotionally. But we have God. So we experience various pressures but are not emotionally crushed. Or at least, we don’t have to be (some allow themselves to experience this emotional response).
The same is true when we are “perplexed;” or unsure, at a loss, etc. The natural emotional response for those without Christ is despair. For those with Jesus, we may still be troubled and enter a time when we are perplexed; but we do not have to respond with despair.
When “persecuted,” the natural emotionally response is to feel alone; to feel as if we have been abandoned. But the Christian knows God has not, nor ever would, leave nor forsake them. We do not have to feel abandoned just because we are being persecuted.
And the same is true when “struck down.” The human emotional response is to feel destroyed; hopeless, no future, no help, no recovery, etc. But for those of us who hold this precious “treasure in clay jars,” we can experience trouble with a different emotional response.
Even death is nothing a Christian should fear. In fact, we live with death every day.
We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who live are always given over to death because of Jesus, so that Jesus’ life may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you. (vs. 10-12)
A Christian should never fear death because we experience death each day – death of our desires, plans, wishes, etc. – so that Jesus’ life may reign supreme in us. As Paul said elsewhere: “The life I now live, I live in Christ.”
As a Christian, am I willing to put to death my plans and submit to God’s will so that others can experience true Life? My death to self and living for Him, allows others to see God at work in me and to hear my testimony of what He has done for me and offers to do for them. This is what the phrase means: “So death works in us, but life in you.”
By submitting to Christ (dying to self) we have the sure confidence that we will experience true and lasting life with Him. We will be raised with Him and thereafter, for eternity, live with Him. We live “knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and present us with you.”
All this brings glory to God. As more and more hear the Gospel and respond to it; as more and more receive eternal life; then more thanksgiving is felt and expressed and ultimately, more glory for God is expressed. “For all this is because of you, so that grace, extended through more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to overflow to God’s glory.”
So with the foundation laid in verse seven, we can experience a different response to various troubles (as seen in verses 8-9), and even understand death and living differently. And by living with this assurance, no matter what troubles we face, we can bring others into the Kingdom and give glory to God!
Which brings us to the real heart of Paul’s message in this passage, verses 16-18:
Therefore we do not give up; even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
From these three verses we learn four incredible characteristics that Christians can possess. Life at times, is full of troubles; many and various kinds. Yet, in spite of the troubles and indeed through the times of trouble, as Christians we are…
I. Resolved
Paul, of all people, with all the troubles he experienced, writes to the Christians at Corinth: “We do not give up!” Look, this whole passage revolves around troubles. Paul knew troubles. The Christians at Corinth, his audience, knew troubles. But that was no excuse!
Make up your mind now, before the troubles come – or if you are already in the midst of trouble, then before they increase – make up your mind now to be resolved. Say to yourself, and mean it: “With God’s help (with ‘this treasure in clay jars’) I will NOT give up!”
“I may be pressured, but I will NOT be crushed. I may be perplexed, but I will NOT despair. I may be persecuted for my faith, but God will NEVER abandon me. And, I may be struck down, but NEVER destroyed! For God is with me. He is my rock. He is my life.”
That is the statement of one RESOLVED.
Second, as Christians, even during times of trouble, we are…
II. Renewed
The flesh being destroyed is okay. This flesh is not permanent anyway!
It is the inner part of us that matters. This is the eternal piece of you and of me. It is this “inner person” that will exist for eternity; either in spiritual death in Hell, or with spiritual life in Heaven.
What Paul writes is that even if troubles are negatively impacting our flesh, so what! By walking with God, submitting to His Will daily, my inner person – the eternal part of me – is being “renewed day by day.”
Isn’t that wonderful and reassuring? Refreshed, renewed, made whole; with a sense of contentment, joy and deep peace within – that is, experiencing Holy Happiness – despite any and all earthly troubles. We are renewed.
Third, as Christians who go through times of trouble, be assured that we will be…
III. Rewarded
I don’t know about you, but in my life troubles seldom feel like “momentary light affliction.”
But compared to eternity, they really are. They are temporary. This too will pass, and usually quicker than we think. But even if your troubles last until the day you die, they are over then! Instantly. So they really are momentary.
And compared to a moment in Hell, a lifetime of earthly troubles really is “light affliction.” Remember, this is Paul writing these words. He knew trouble and suffering; often, very intense kinds of both. And yet he looks at all that in his life and sees it as a minor nuisance, compared with what he will receive for having experienced it for the sake of the Gospel.
What is the reward? I don’t know exactly. The Bible speaks of rewards in Heaven; based upon how obedient and faithful we lived in this life. But does not give us a lot of detail.
Paul puts it this way: “absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.”
Right now gold is selling at very high rates per ounce. The highest we have seen in years. If Paul had written that our reward was an “absolutely incomparable eternal weight of gold,” then I would have some idea of the value and worth of our reward. The truth is, I’m pretty sure that the glory has far more worth and is infinitely more valuable than gold!
Christians who endure life’s troubles, who remain Resolved and are Renewed daily, will be Rewarded as well!
So therefore, we also are…
IV. Refocused
When we focus on what is seen and are pressured, we have no reference beyond the present, so it is easy to feel crushed. When we focus on the eternal, this momentary light affliction of pressure doesn’t come close to crushing us in any way!
When we focus on what is seen it is easy to become perplexed, confused, and lose hope. Despair natural follows. But when we focus on the unseen, realizing we have life in Him forever, we rejoice – no matter the circumstances, trials or troubles of this momentary life!
When we focus on what is seen, we see our friends leave us during times of persecution. We see that many do abandon us. But when we focus on the Eternal One, we see that we never are left alone – not even for a minute!
And when we are struck down, if we focus on the temporary we will feel as if our world has ended. We will feel destroyed in every way. But when we focus on the eternal, then even death cannot destroy us, but only usher us into the presence of God forever!
So as a Christian…Don’t focus on the trouble. Rest in the Savior. Don’t focus on the temporary. Rejoice in the eternal.
This is living with Holy Happiness, even during times of trouble!
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