The Uncrushable Can
THE UNCRUSHABLE CAN
Read 1 Peter 4:16-17.
Alex ran to the car as Dad drove up in front of the building where he took a summer class. “Have a good afternoon?” Dad asked. Alex shrugged. “Are you unhappy with me for not letting you go to that movie?” Dad asked softly.
Alex shook his head. “No. I’m glad you said no.”
“Did your friends give you a hard time?” asked Dad.
“Yeah. Even Ben thought I should tell you I was going somewhere else and then go to the movie.” Ben was his friend from church.
When they got home, Dad found an empty soda can and handed it to Alex. “Crush this can,” Dad said. Alex started to ask a question, but then set the can on the floor and smashed it.
“Now crush this can,” Dad said, handing Alex a full can of pop.
Alex replied, “I can’t. It’s full.”
“Think about which can you are like,” said Dad. “I bet you felt empty when your friends made fun of you. But you’re not actually empty. God’s Holy Spirit came into your life when you became a Christian. He fills you with His strength so that no one can ‘crush’ you or defeat you.”
Alex gave Dad a little smile. It wasn’t easy having others against him, but God would help him do the right thing.
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does it bother you when others—especially other Christians—try to get you to do things you know are wrong? Do you feel “down” when someone makes fun of you for doing right? Remember, if you’re a Christian, God is living in you. You are “uncrushable.”
TO MEMORIZE:
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
DON’T BE DISCOURAGED.
From the book
