(2 Corinthians 4:8) Hard-pressed but not crushed. Perplexed but not in despair.

I can guarantee you one thing in life: you will be hard-pressed and perplexed at times.

I have been many, many times throughout my life and ministry.

During those difficult times, I thought for sure that I would be crushed and collapse into despair.

But God has always led me through many deep swamps filled with snakes.

It is always through the supernatural grace of God that we have the victory!

The Christian life is paradoxical—it seems contradictory when we talk about it.

For example, how can our life of faith contain struggle and victory at the same time?

That doesn’t make sense!

Well, if we try to understand the ways of the kingdom through pure rationality alone, we will fail.

The fact is, we are often full of anxiety because we obsess over trying to figure everything out in life. We feel out of control unless we can rationally put all the puzzle pieces together.

Too many of us wrongly think in black-and-white categories—things must be this way or that way. 

The truth is, we can only mature in our Christian life when we embrace the tension of being both sinners and saints.

When our minds are transformed by the Holy Spirit, however, we think differently.

We have the mind of Christ. 

The good news is that when we experience hard times, we will not be crushed. 

When we feel confused and overwhelmed, we will not fall into hopelessness.

Don’t get hung up on those deep swamps filled with snakes. 

God is faithful, and He will provide a way when there seems to be no way.

Jesus is our victory, even when we walk through difficult times.