Recently in our department devotional, we talked about how God is our treasure. According to 2 Corinthians 4: 7-12, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.”

The discussion/word picture of carrying a treasure within ourselves really struck a chord with me. So many of us take our treasure (Jesus) and want to bury it. We may have different reasons for doing this, maybe to protect it, keep it safe, or just selfishly keep it from others.

The second word picture from these verses pertains to storms or troubles in our lives. These storms try to disrupt us and tear us down. Picture the torrential rains and floods, eroding the earth away, washing away the topsoil. As the dirt washes away it reveals the treasure that was hidden.

Even though we don’t want the storms of life to ravage us, God can use these circumstances to bring light to his glory and make Himself known to others through our pain. So, take hope when trouble comes your way. Know that God sees all, cares about you, has a purpose and can use these times for His good.

Photo by Ashin K Suresh on Unsplash