The Transition Word

September 19, 2018

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NLT

“But” in English grammar is known as a transitional word. It is a word that connects two ideas and shows a significant shift. For instance, I was cold, but now I am warm. I was sad, but now I am happy. It shows a transition from one state to another, but it doesn’t identify the reason for the shift. It could be that I was cold, BUT I put on a sweater and now I am warm. I might have been sad because I was alone, BUT I called a friend and now I am happy. The action explains the shift.

Look at Paul’s transitions: PRESSED, but not CRUSHED. PERPLEXED, but not DRIVEN TO DESPAIR. HUNTED DOWN, but never ABANDONED. KNOCKED DOWN, but not DESTROYED.

The transition in every phrase is from extreme difficulty to victory. What is the transition factor? In every instance, it is our connection with God and His power. Troubles and trials come to everyone. Everyone is pressed, but crushing comes from a lack of adequate connection to God. Everyone has periods of being perplexed, but being driven to despair comes from a lack of resilience, flowing from my Source. We all get “hunted down” and pursued by people and Satan, but the only ones who go it alone have lost sight of their Eternal Companion. Knocked down? For sure. Everyone hits the mat from time-to-time. But destruction only comes when I am not sufficiently in touch with my Ally.

Resilience is something God wants for me; will provide for me, as I diligently choose to develop my character and walk with Him. The entire Word of God is filled with “But God” stories. When I work with Him and make Him my go-to, not my last resort, my resilience factor grows and my soul soars.

  • Can you make your own “but God” list? I am ___________, but not ___________
  • List the ways God is coming through for you, and praise Him. Tell someone today about your perspective.
  • Memorize 2 Corinthians 4:8-9. Make it a powerful, every morning I AM statement.