Do Not Lose Heart

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Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Devotion:

Life is filled with challenges that often leave us feeling weary and stretched thin. The apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, reminds us that while our physical bodies may succumb to pressures, aging, or illness, our inner selves can experience renewal and strength each day through God's Spirit. This passage speaks directly to those moments when the weight of our troubles seems almost unbearable. Paul calls these hardships "light and momentary," not to diminish our pain, but to shift our focus to a greater reality—one that endures far beyond what we see or feel today.

It's easy to become discouraged when our circumstances seem bleak or when the world’s difficulties press in on us. Yet Paul invites us to "fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen." The seen—our struggles, pain, disappointments—is temporary. It is passing, fleeting, no matter how overwhelming it feels in the moment. In contrast, the unseen—the promises of God, the presence of Jesus, the hope of eternal life—is eternal. By choosing to focus on God’s truth rather than our temporary struggles, we find courage and strength for each new day.

This doesn’t mean we ignore our difficulties or pretend they don’t exist. It means we interpret them in light of God’s eternal purpose. Every hardship, when entrusted to God, is being used to shape us, deepen our faith, and prepare us for a glory that "far outweighs them all." The troubles we face are not wasted; they are instruments through which God’s grace is displayed, and through which we become more like Christ.

Prayer:

Lord, today, let us not lose heart. Instead, let us anchor ourselves in the truth that you are at work in us, renewing us daily. May we lift our eyes above the temporary circumstances and fix them on the eternal hope we have in you. In doing so, we may discover a strength that surpasses our own and a peace that endures, even in the midst of life’s storms. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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