Crushed Down, but not Destroyed

By Norma Miller

March 1, 2014

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).

This morning I went to our school for Grandparent's Day since Mark's parents (my in-laws) were able to come from Indiana to be with our school-age children. During worship we sang the song, "I'm Trading My Sorrows." It says, "I'm trading my sorrows, I'm trading my shame. . . . I'm trading my sickness, I'm trading my pain, and I'm layin' them down for the joy of the Lord."

It goes on to say, "I am persecuted, but not abandoned, crushed down but not destroyed..."

It really spoke to me this morning. People may do to us what they want, but we are not to remain victims. People can strike us, smite us, curse us, and try to stop us. They can hurt us, push us, and knock us down, but they can't keep us there! They can't destroy us.

Paul says, "I will not fear what man can do to me." Jesus said we should not fear man who can destroy our bodies, but should fear God who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell.

The less we focus on humans and their opinions of us, and the more we trust our God, the better off we will be. Humans cannot do lasting damage unless we let them. We may be "crushed down but not destroyed," as the song says. No one can destroy us.

Further, opposition is good for us. It strengthens us; it gives us wisdom and compassion for others.

Another thing is this: though they may try, no one can silence us unless we allow them to. I am not saying that we shouldn't be silent sometimes. We should often be more silent than we are. We do not need to promote ourselves, but if someone is trying to take our voice, it is up to us to keep it.

When we see who we are IN CHRIST, we no longer feel threatened by others. Those who try to destroy us are humans also, with hopes, dreams, goals, worries, fears, and struggles.

Don't accept who they say you are. Find out who God says you are. After all, He made you!

-The End