Life has its ups and downs. We all experience trouble, perplexities, adversities and pressures. Being a child of God does not exempt us from having to live through these things in life. Life has a way of humbling all of us. At times, life will bring us to our knees because in a moment’s time, life can change. Paul writing to the Corinthian church makes a simple statement. We may be surrounded by trouble, but we will live in victory. Life does not determine our destiny; our response to life will determine our destiny. How we respond to the trials and tribulations in life will chart course of our life and will ultimately determine our eternity. Paul says, “We are troubled on every side, but not distressed”. The word used for trouble means pressure. He didn’t say MIGHT BE; he said ARE troubled. We will all experience pressure: on our job, in our marriage, in our relationships. By leaning our faith and relationship with God, we can overcome anything. We can be troubled, but how we respond to that trouble is up to us. Paul tells us that it is possible to be in a world where there is pressure, but not be overwhelmed. The bible tells us that no matter what pressure is brought to bear in our life, God has made a way out. This is contrary to what the world tells us. The world will tell us that there is no hope, and no way out. We can get out of it, if we will just stay with God. Out text says that we are perplexed, but not in despair. The word perplexed means confused. Life has a way of throwing things at us and we have no idea how to respond. Sometimes the pressure is so great that we become confuse and at our wits end. Paul tells us that we can be at our wits end, but not be at our faith’s end. Though we may be confused, God is not. God is never at His wits end. Life does not depend upon my knowledge of the big picture. It depends on His knowledge of the big picture. Even though we may be perplexed, we can rely on God. Paul says that we are persecuted but not forsaken. We suffer undeserved things, but God will never abandon us. God will never leave nor forsake us. There is nothing in the world that can alter the loyalty of God. People, friends, loved ones, our job may all forsake us, but God never will. God is on our side. Out text concludes by saying we may be knocked down, but we are not knocked out. We cannot get through life without being hit. However, we must get back up after we are hit and continue on. God’s promise is that He is on our side, and that no matter how many times we get knocked down, He will be there to help us get back up.