Devotion: This won't break you
Written By Dianna Hobbs // Devotions
Last week was a heavy week of ministering and traveling. While I was grateful for the opportunity to preach the Gospel to the people of God, as always, when it was over, I was feeling worn down. I was exhausted because of how intense my schedule was.
By the time I returned home, I simply wanted to sleep for hours and hours. I figured if I got some much-needed rest, it would be all good again. But that exhaustion turned into congestion, fever and body aches.
I realized I had caught a nasty cold.
You see, when I travel, I come into close contact with many different people at events and on planes. Sometimes, I pick up lots of germs and viruses along the way and my body can’t fight them off. That’s what happened this time, which is why you have not heard from me in a few days. I needed to set aside a few days for recovery.
Since my voice is not yet 100% and my congestion has not totally cleared, it will likely be a day or two before I am able to make it into the studio to record a new podcast. But thankfully, today, for the first time since being clobbered by this awful cold, I feel strong enough to write a fresh Cup of Inspiration devotion.
I recall how, a day after getting back home from Indiana, my voice sounded terrible. I started coughing.
Uh-oh, I thought.
Suddenly, I had a pitiful appetite and even less strength. Over the past few days, I have noticed my waistline whittling down because I haven’t been able to eat much, though yesterday was better. Due to the reduction in caloric intake, some of my clothes are fitting looser. But though I may be losing the tiniest bit of weight in the natural, not so in the spiritual.
2 Corinthians 4:16-17 NLT says, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,”
In verse 17, that word weight is a Greek word báros. Figuratively, it means to have real substance, value or significance—both personally and eternally. It means to have authority and influence.
So then, trouble, afflictions, challenges and struggles cause us to put on weight in the spiritual. It’s the kind of weight that gives us real substance, value and authority. It builds character and positive spiritual qualities that last forever.
“Going through? You might bend but you won’t break. The power of God has secured your victory!”
Friend, you may be going through something today—sickness or something else entirely—that makes you feel physically, mentally, or emotionally lightweight, weak and fragile. I get it. Grueling seasons of difficulty have that impact on you. They wear you down and make you aware of your frailty.
Even 2 Corinthians 4:7 confirms that we are fragile jars of clay. But that’s not the end of the story. That verse further explains that God has hidden His amazing treasure inside such a weak vessel so that we will know “this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
So then, no matter how weak you feel, how difficult the struggle, how negative the odds, how great the hindrance, how high the mountain, or how big the obstacle, you will overcome. You will still fulfill your divine assignment and do the will of God. Why? Because there is an all-surpassing power within you that overpowers what is coming against you.
At this moment, perhaps there is a lot coming at you all at once. Trouble may be attacking your family, finances, health, mental and emotional wellness, job, business, ministry, peace, joy, stability, and relationships. Perhaps you feel the opposing pressure and are surrounded by chaos. The enemy is threatening you and coming after you with all his might.
Because of this, quite naturally, you’re feeling shaken up and weak. But spiritually, you’re not weak at all. God is reminding you through this cup of inspiration that you are strong and able to endure. This struggle will not break you. This weapon formed against you won’t prosper. The trouble will not destroy you.
It can’t, because of what’s in you. God has given you báros—weight, authority and real substance. That’s why Satan’s efforts to destroy you have not worked. That’s why, even on days when you thought you would crack under the pressure, you didn’t. That’s why when you felt like walking away and giving up, you couldn’t. It’s because this light affliction, this trouble, is no match for the weight of glory, the báros you carry.
I know the wind is blowing and the storm is raging. But the supernatural strength of God is constantly stabilizing and fortifying you through everything. So be encouraged and know this won’t break you.
To remind you of this truth, I’m stirring 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV, which says, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, if you are going through something today, declare, this will not break, destroy or defeat me! The all-surpassing power of God within you is stronger than what is coming against you. You will come through this victoriously. You will thrive again and live to declare the mighty works of God.
Now let’s pray.
God, please teach me to thank You for seasons of affliction because they produce powerful results. In moments when trouble feels overwhelming, please remind me that Your power strengthens me so I won’t break. And when I come through this, I believe I will shine more brightly for Your glory and walk in a greater level of authority, and anointing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
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