Daily Devotion in II Corinthians 2

II Corinthians artwork from a 1611 KJV

Daily Nugget:
One reason people should read their Bible daily is to understand how to handle even the “little” problems. In II Corinthians 2, we read that Paul realized a principle from his experiences and shared it with his Corinthian friends. He did not want them to learn the same lesson he did the hard way. What he realized can be known by today’s Christians when they face a similar situation.

Paul learned that if he griped, complained, and shared all his sorrows all the time, there would be consequences. When it came time for his friends to encourage him, none would be left to help him (II Corinthians 2:1-4). They would all be too sorrowful and discouraged to console him. There is time to share one’s problems with friends and acquaintances, but it is not all the time!

Everyone knows a constant griper. They complain about their job, parents, finances, politics, and much more.

After the grumbler shares their load of concerns and worries, often their friends will also be depressed and discouraged.  The source of the complainer’s “pick-me-ups” will be sadder than the complainer. There will be no one to encourage the person when he needs it.

After a while, many listeners soon realize that listening to the other person’s moaning and griping makes them so depressed that they avoid being around that person. The complainer's problems increase when his circle of confidants duck for cover when he comes around.

Constant complaining grows tiring to some.  It does more damage if the gripper is a Christian.

When a Christian is heard grumbling, it also sends a message to the listener. It leaves an impression on the complainee that God cannot handle the person’s problems. The person appears defeated because God seemingly could not help them in their situation. That is not the message that anyone should intentionally want anyone to learn. Does that mean one should “hold it in” all the time? No, it is just a consideration that should be weighed when negative comments are spoken.

If more gave their difficulties and trials to God, there would be less need to run to people to share one’s troubles. God desires to be our first source of defense, not our last. Go to Him instead of spreading ideas that God is limited in areas of help. One can then share the goodness of God by telling others how the Lord delivered and helped them. God can help anyone with anything! 

Today’s Thought: 
“When you are finding faults, look in the mirror, not discussing other’s weaknesses on the telephone.” — Author Unknown

Words to Understand:
Affliction: trouble; problem
Anguish: suffering; immense pressure or concern

Today’s Reading:
II Corinthians 2
1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.
2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?
3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.
4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
5 ¶ But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.
6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.
7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.
9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.
10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;
11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
12 ¶ Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.