2 Corinthians 4:8-10 – We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. (ESV)

Pastoral visitation has always been one of my priorities. Early in my ministry, I made an appointment for a regular pastoral visit with John and Helen. The first 15 minutes were filled with niceties, but then, Helen said that she wanted to tell me something that I might not want to hear. At this point, John slouched down in his chair as if to disappear from the room.

Helen looked me in the eyes and said, "David, your sermons are boring, I mean BORING. You stand up there, read every word from your notes and don't connect with the congregation." I was crushed and struck down. My first inclination was to offer a prayer and get out of there. We talked for a few minutes, and not meaning it, I thanked her for her honesty and left.

I came home and told my wife that I was resigning from ministry. We lived in a railway town, and I decided to go down the street and talk with Waddy, who worked for the railway, about becoming an engineer and making a lot of money driving trains. I was distraught and saw myself as a failure to God and to my congregation. How many others felt the same way as Helen?

However, I did not go down the street to Waddy's house. Instead, I went to my study to tell God that I was done. As I spent time with Jesus, He showed me that Helen was right. He had called me to preach the Word, not to read a prepared text. I slumped into my chair and cried out to Him for help.

It was not long afterwards that I had an experience with the Holy Spirit, Who began to free me from my text and to help me to deliver my sermons instead of reading them.

We are struck down, but not destroyed. I lived through today's verses and came out manifesting the life of Jesus. During our lives, we are afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down. The good news is that Jesus is always with us to pick us up and turn what may seem to be a disaster into a great victory.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for being Who You are: our Saviour and Lord. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for bringing the Word of the Lord alive in our lives. If we find ourselves struck down by some affliction at this time, we ask You to wrap Your loving arms around us and hold us. Lord Jesus Christ, we trust in You. Amen.

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About the author:

David Hooper <theskypilot@pm.me>
Prescott, Ontario, Canada
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