Compression Strength

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. 2 Cor. 4:7-9 One Sunday as I suffered the consequences of a sore throat and cold, I sat with my son as he watched a science special on the strength of structures. As I dozed in and out of sleep, Grant said, "Mom, wake up! You have got to see this." I woke up in time to see a 185-pound man stand on a single wine glass placed between two boards. Unbelievably, the wine glass did not break. The scientists pointed out that everything has compression strength. As stress presses in on an object, its ability to withstand the pressure is determined by the compression strength. Obviously, the more bonds the object has within it determines its compression strength. As the weight of stress presses in, the object will bend, bow and depending on the weight of pressure eventually break. In many ways, this is like the body of Christ, but with one difference. Christ is what gives us compression strength! He is the all-surpassing power that fills us. We can be pressed on every side, but not crushed! In Christ, we may bend or bow, but we will not break! We have a spiritual compression strength that enables us to withstand great pressure. It is obvious to the non-scientific mind that if you line up wine glasses, then more weight can be added, thereby increasing the compression strength. As we stand alone in Christ, we have one level of compression strength. But, when we stand side-by-side, our bond gets stronger and our compression strength is greater. Interestingly, one glass can hold 185 pounds, but two glasses can hold well over 425 pounds. Two are greater than one, the strength more than doubles. Do you feel pressure? What stressors press in on you? Allow Christ to give you compression strength and then bond with other believers to withstand the pressures surrounding you. This is why we need the fellowship of the saints, Bible studies, prayer gatherings, and meals with other believers. It is in these times that we build each other up in Christ increasing our ability to withstand the pressures of this world. Simply, Tara