Despairing

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Today we are going to be taking communion over a passage from 2 Corinthians 1 where the apostle Paul was under so much pressure that he despaired of life itself. Despair means having no hope of a way out. But Paul said this happened so that they would learn to rely on God rather than themselves. In life we are going to have troubles and pressure. Sometimes we will get put in positions that seem impossible and like there is no way out. But these times are meant to teach us to trust and rely on God. 

Here is the passage from 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of man.

Today's communion is a time of gratitude that God is the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort who comforts us in all of our troubles, and delivers us again and again. And we are asking for his help to rely on him when we face pressure rather than ourselves.

Today's Workout/Health Tip

As we strengthen our bodies an important step is to strengthen our joints and connective tissue. The bones, tendons, and connective tissue provide the structure of the body. We often focus on strengthening our muscles but for the muscles to reach their true potential we first need the structure of the body to be strong. This serves to keeps the joints healthy as the muscles get stronger. This is one of the reasons why it is important to take our time and not rush strength, because we can push the muscles beyond what the structure of the body can handle which leads to problems. Once the structure of the body is strong then the muscle can increase in strength very quickly. 

I am praying for you.

Daniel

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