“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”

Here Paul says he’s afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down. These are not just general abstract categories for Paul, but reflect real hurt and hardship in his life. Chapter 11 catalogues Paul’s experience: imprisoned, beat near death, stoned, shipwrecked, hungry and thirsty, often without food.

Paul knew affliction. Paul knew what it was like to be so burdened that he was perplexed and confused. Paul had scars on his body that told stories of persecution and being struck down. And where’s his attention? On the “but not.” Paul’s perspective is shaped by “But Not!”

Fresh in Paul’s mind was the death of Jesus. Think about it:

• In his death Jesus was afflicted and crushed for our sin – like a Lamb led to slaughter.
• In his death Jesus was perplexed and driven to despair – crying out in the garden, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death…Father if there’s any other way take this cup from me.”
• In his death Jesus was persecuted and forsaken – crying out from the cross, “My God, my God, why have your forsaken me?”
• In his death Jesus was struck down and destroyed willfully giving up his life.[1]

If that’s all there were to the story, we too would be crushed, despairing, forsaken and destroyed. But there’s good news, the story does not end there.

Jesus died. Three days later he came bursting forth from the tomb and brought the hope of “but not” with him. The resurrection is the Divine stamp of “but not” offering hope to all those who trust in Christ. Jesus was crushed, but not you. Jesus was driven to despair, but not you. Jesus was forsaken, but not you.

Jesus was not abandoned to the grave; he rose again showing the surpassing power of God. This same resurrection power sustained Paul, and it can sustain you as you face trial, tribulation, suffering and sorrow. The resurrection of Jesus shifts the emphasis from suffering to the sustaining power of God in suffering.

This is the beauty of the gospel – it ushers the “but not” into the midst of our suffering and sorrow. The gospel brings “but not” to your life. Every person actively trusting in Christ alone has God’s divine “But Not” to anchor their soul amidst life’s most severe storms.