We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7

I got mad one day a week or so ago, really mad at myself. It is not my nature anymore to be mad and when rarely the emotion comes upon me it usually goes as quickly as it came. I used to be angry most of the time. I’d yell and sometimes cuss. That was over thirty years ago, before I really came to the end of myself and asked God to take the anger away because it was making me become someone I didn’t want to be. It was then I decided it was better to be better than bitter; better to fill myself with peace, not anger. What happened that day was my fault; my ‘chemo brain’ was at work and I couldn’t process a task as I intended and I became very frustrated with myself. After I punished myself for too long I finally gave it up and asked God for forgiveness and His peace.

This ‘jar of clay’ is a frail vessel that easily cracks, especially when we remove ourselves from God’s protective hands. It reminds me how much we desperately need God and depend on Him for our care. Sarah Young writes from the perspective of Jesus in Jesus Today, “Come close and rest in my presence. I am closer to you than the air you breathe. Trust Me with each breath you take. Discipline yourself in the practice of being in my presence. Don’t be discouraged by your tendency to wander and become distracted. Simply keep returning to Me, trusting in My unfailing love.”

Whether it is a sin we have committed or a deep pain or sorrow we bear, this frail jar of clay in which we live is not capable of bearing all the weight that comes upon us. We need to pour it out before God, turn from our focus on ourselves and our troubles and focus instead on remaining faithful to God, thanking Him for the peace, grace and strength He readily offers. Focus on your troubles and that is all you see. Turn your focus on God’s presence and the power of troubles’ grip, still present, diminishes.

We don’t like the feeling of being frail. We like to try to convince ourselves that we are really strong. And God does indeed give us strength. But that gift never replaces our inherent dependence on Him. So be content with being a jar of clay, for in it you will carry the great treasures of God: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.