We Are Pressed on Every Side - 2 Corinthians 4 8

"We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 [ESV]

Pressed on Every Side, But Not Crushed

Are you feeling pressed on every side? You're not alone. But what does that mean for us? and how should we respond? In this post, we'll explore what it means to be under pressure and some practical ways to deal with it.

According to Paul in his letter to the Christians in Rome, it feels like the world is against us and that we are constantly fighting a losing battle. But as Christian, Paul makes us understand that we are undefeated in this life because of Christ. Despite our feelings, we can be assured that God is with us always. Even when it feels like the whole world is against us, we can know that Jesus is on our side. Let that give you strength as you face whatever comes your way in this life - knowing that no matter what, you are not alone!

How To Overcome Pressure

1. Be of Good Cheer

Sometimes when our backs are against the wall and we're feeling stressed out about our situations, we can become anxious and filled with fear. But as Christians, we know that God is always with us and he already knows what we're going through and cares about us deeply. No matter what your current situation is - you are not alone! The devil may lay his traps and temptations to take away our joy in this life but do not forget, the joy of the Lord is your strength!

Be of good cheer, God knows what you are going through. He has promised to never leave or forsake you, so be encouraged knowing that he will always be there with you.

2. Trust in Him

"Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:8 [ESV]

We are being pressed on every side because the devil wants us to give up this fight. He does not want people coming to Christ and he especially does not want them following through with their salvation. He wants us to be discouraged by life's circumstances so that we will give up our faith in God. We may be feeling overwhelmed and think there's no way out of this situation, but remember who you serve! He is greater than all the forces of hell. He has promised to never leave or forsake you, no matter what comes your way - even when it feels like the whole world is against you.

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91:1-2 [ESV]

3. Be Patient

"Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord." James 5:7 [ESV]

It is difficult when we are facing persecution for our faith, but remember that persecution is simply part of being a disciple of Christ. The bible says that all Christians will face times when they are mistreated by others because they follow Jesus (Matthew 5:11). We should be ready knowing that any moment spent being patient for Christ will be rewarded.

"In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." John 16:33 [ESV]

Being under pressure is no easy task, but just remember that God is with you always and he already knows what you are going through. He has promised to never leave or forsake us no matter what comes your way - even when it feels like the whole world is against you. All we can do is trust in Him knowing that His timing to bring us out of this trial is perfect. Any moment spent waiting on him will be rewarded!

Conclusion

It's easy to feel overwhelmed in today's world. We are constantly bombarded with messages and images that tell us we're not good enough and need to be something else. And it seems like no matter how hard we try, we can't escape the pressure. But God tells us that He is with us, even in the midst of trials. We can find hope and strength from Him, knowing that He will never leave us or forsake us. Let's remember that we are His children, loved and cherished by Him no matter what!

Why should we be of good cheer?

We should be of good cheer because we serve a living God who is able to deliver us from the temptations we face in this world and who can sustain us in our trials and temptations.

What does Jesus mean when he says be of good cheer?

Jesus means that we should always have a positive mindset even in difficult times. We should always have hope, not lose our faith, and remember that He is always with us.

Where does the Bible say be of good cheer?

This is recorded in John 16:33 (KJV); "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Who did Jesus tell to be of good cheer?

Jesus told His disciples to be of good cheer when they were facing opposition from people who didn't believe their message. Jesus did not want them to be discouraged and lose their faith because He knew they would face even more opposition in the future.

What does it mean to pour out our hearts to God?

To pour out your heart to God means you can share all of your worries and concerns with Him, asking for His strength and guidance through difficult times. It means to open up and share with God how you are feeling - even the things that you might feel embarrassed about.

How can we stay encouraged when everything seems to be going wrong?

We can stay encouraged by writing down what's worrying us, praying for peace, trusting in God no matter what happens, reading scripture daily to remind ourselves of who God is, reaching out to others who are going through the same thing, seeking God each day for help, surrounding ourselves by other believers who support us, staying busy with work or school, and reading verses that remind us of God's love.

We hope that you have been blessed by this topic on we are pressed on every side. Don't forget to also checkout our blog section for more frequently asked bible questions and quizzes.