How to Get Up When Life Knocks You Down - Lessons From 2 Corinthians 1

“I am the subject of depressions of spirit so fearful that I hope none of you ever get to such extremes of wretchedness as I go to.” I could have been the author of that quote. How about you? This life is filled with trouble at most every step it seems. I did not write that opening quote; Charles Spurgeon did. Yes one of the most famous and greatest preachers ever to walk this earth struggled with depression and discouragement. If this very day simply getting out of bed was a monumental task for you then at least find solace from the fact that you are not alone. The Apostle Paul, author of a large portion of the New Testament, struggled just as we did. Read what he says from 2 Corinthians 1:8, “For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life…” Paul knew what it was like to wonder where his next breath would come from. So he wrote as God inspired him to, and provided hope for each of us in this life.

Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth opens with words of encouragement and a plan for how we can go on. In the first chapter of 2 Corinthians are three reminders in which we can find encouragement.

First Paul instructs us to remember what God is to us. Possibly the greatest weapon against discouragement and depression is praise for God. When you reach the depths of despair it is time to stop and remember what God has provided us. Listen to what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.”

God is the father of mercies and all comfort. It is important to understand that the word used here for father means that God is the originator of mercy and comfort. It is also important to understand what Paul means in this. First of all that we have received God’s mercy should be enough to satisfy us for this life. Lamentations 3:22 reminds is that “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” And the best news is that as verse 23 says, “His mercies are new everyday.” This is why we can have hope in spite of our continued failings.

We also must understand that when we read that God is the father of all comfort, the word used here for comfort doesn’t speak of a sympathy type of comfort. The comfort we receive from the Lord does more than “feel bad for us” for that doesn’t really change anything. The word used here for comfort is more about giving us strength to handle the situations that we struggle in. The word here from the Latin means “with strength” and the Greek means “to come alongside and help.” This would be the same word used when the Holy Spirit is said to be our comforter. This is powerful for it means that when God comforts us He also empowers us to handle every trial we face.

Paul then goes on to instruct us to remember what God does for us. One of the biggest struggles people have in this life is to try and answer the question of suffering. The truth is God allows suffering for very good reasons. While some suffering is simply the result of our own stupid decisions, a lot of suffering is a result of actually being God’s people. The teachings of scripture say that there is no such thing as luck or of karma. Those teachings are from man, not God. If trials come out of simple fate then we have no hope. If trials are under man’s control then we are equally hopeless because obviously man cannot save us from them. But what if God is actually in control even in the midst of what we think is chaos? God created all things and He put all natural laws in place. God and only God has the power to control this world. It has been said that when God places His children in the furnace, He keeps His hand on the thermostat. God is in control of our trials.

God also enables us to bear these trials. Paul’s writings tell of all the things He faced and in all of them we can see that God also empowered Paul to bear them. But we have to let go of dependence on our own strength as we read of in 2 Corinthians 12:10 where said that “I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

God is glorified through our trials when we let go and let Him work through us. One way or another God delivers us from them. But this requires faith. There is no greater witness to the lost world than to see us praising God in the moments we seem to be drowning.

The third reminder Paul gives in finding encouragement in God is to remember what He does through us.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

The trials we face are used by God, “so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” You see our suffering never goes to waste when we are faithful in sharing our own testimony. And the experiences we gained through our suffering enable us to minister to others.

This life is not easy and honestly, it’s not designed to be. We have a God of mercy and a God of comfort. We were made for more than this life; we were made for eternity. We were made to glorify God. We must grow our faith so that we trust Him, not ourselves or anyone else. It isn’t easy though and sometimes it will be a matter of faith. Remember what God is to you. Remember what He does for you. Remember what God does through you. And when it seems unbearable get on your knees. When it gets unbearable reach out to your brothers and sisters in Christ and let God work through them. Remember story of the Apostle Paul who asked God three times to remove the thorn in his side. Remember what God said to Paul. I leave you with God’s Word.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

God bless those who read and believe God’s Holy Word.