“We have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us.” (2 Cor 4:7)

God Himself dwells in our souls. Each of us is a temple of God. We carry a treasure—but we also are afflicted. What does St. Paul say about this? “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor 4:8-9). Early Christians could praise God in difficult circumstances because they had something greater than their circumstances.

Around the second century AD, the Roman Diognetus wrote a letter describing Christians:

Christians are indistinguishable from other men either by nationality, language or customs. They do not inhabit separate cities of their own, or speak a strange dialect, or follow some outlandish way of life. Their teaching is not based upon reveries inspired by the curiosity of men. Unlike some other people, they champion no purely human doctrine. With regard to dress, food and manner of life in general, they follow the customs of whatever city they happen to be living in, whether it is Greek or foreign. (Diognetus)

Christians blend in culturally—so what distinguishes them from others? He continues,

They pass their days upon earth, but they are citizens of heaven. Obedient to the laws, they yet live on a level that transcends the law. Christians love all men, but all men persecute them. Condemned because they are not understood, they are put to death, but raised to life again. They live in poverty, but enrich many; they are totally destitute, but possess an abundance of everything. They suffer dishonor, but that is their glory. They are defamed, but vindicated. A blessing is their answer to abuse, deference their response to insult. For the good they do they receive the punishment of malefactors, but even then they, rejoice, as though receiving the gift of life.

In other words, Christians are not distinguished by their dress, food, or jobs. They are distinguished by everything in terms of character, hope, and faith. This makes them extraordinary.

God cares deeply about our suffering. As Christians, the thing that most witnesses to the world is how we act when we are afflicted.

Some of the holiest people I know are going through the deepest afflictions, and when things happen to them, they go in secret to the Lord. They carry it with joy. They talk to trusted people.

How do the world’s circumstances affect you? Are you living in fear of wars that are happening? Are you constantly talking about all the evil and suffering in the world? Do you feel like life is knocking you out and you’re ready to give up and give in?

Christian hope is different. Where others would give up in the face of affliction, we have hope. When we are persecuted, we can give back love, because Christ is loving through us. We simply need to ask for more of the Holy Spirit.

There are times in my life when I’ve been crushed, perplexed, confused, or frustrated. The Lord said to me then, and He is saying to you now, “Give me that burden. I want to renew joy in you. I want to renew hope in you. I want you to run and not grow weary, but I will do it in you.”

Let’s be encouraged to live differently, because we have a treasure in earthen vessels. Let’s go into that treasure and find strength.

This article is condensed from the July 8, 2025, episode of Burning Hearts. It originally appeared in Renewal Ministries’ September 2025 newsletter.