Dear Church,
 
In 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, Paul explains a very stressful time in his life.  He says, “we were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it.  In fact, we expected to die.  But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.” (NLT)
 
Think about our own lives, there are so many things we are striving, seeking, working, hustling, and stressing about that we feel crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure.  Some of us are ready to throw in the towel. That is exactly what Paul did, when he was stretched beyond his ability, he even came to a place where he expected to die. Paul says, “As a result” we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely on God. 
 
The result of his burnout brought him to his knees. Paul concludes this by saying it was not a bad idea since “he is the God who raises the dead.” There are so many things God can do in and through us if we can sit back relying on Him. That is what the bible calls faith.  In Matthew 17:20, Jesus says “if you have faith,” you can move mountains. Jesus did not say, “if you stay busy, overworked, stressed, hustling, and worrying you can move mountains”.  No, he said, faith is what moves mountains. Remember, God can do more in 15 seconds of your life that you can do in 15 years of your life.
 
Love Him, Trust Him, rely on His strength, cast your burdens on Him… then your mountains will move away. 
 
Be Encouraged,
Mathews