Have you ever felt drained from life?

No, I’m talking about feeling as if life was sucking the life out of you? Every time you think you are making progress, something from an unexpected source, feels as if it is pulling the oxygen from your lungs.

We must remember that with the Lord, the pain we experience produces a purpose. In case you thought your life was hard, let’s look at the life of Paul for a moment.

In 2 Corinthians the 11th chapter, we learn of some of Paul’s sufferings for Christ Sake:

• 5 different times, he was whipped by the Jews and received 39 stripes.
• 3 times he was beaten with rods.
• He was stoned once.
• He shipwrecked 3 times.
• He spent an entire day and night adrift at sea, left for dead.
• He had been robbed, gone without food and water and enough clothing to keep him warm.

One beating alone could have handicapped or even killed Paul. Yet after all of this, Paul says: “I believe God.”

Paul looked beyond his personal afflictions and recognized his sufferings equipped him and empowered him.

Paul endured many afflictions. He went from being an atheist to an activist of Jesus. I felt something right there- I’ll say that again:

PAUL WENT FROM BEING AN ATHEIST TO AN ACTIVIST!

What about you? After all the hardships, pains and tragedies in life, will you believe God?

The world may press us hard, but God’s strength, presence, and comfort will not allow us to be crushed. If you see someone not like themselves on today, help them by noticing them. Give a smile, give an encouraging word, pray for them, give a listening ear.

Be willing to help someone live.