Don’t Give Up
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16 MEV
Hey friend,
Do you feel exhausted and weighted down by the struggles of this life? Do you ever feel like throwing your hands up in disgust and just giving up? Sometimes I feel that way. Life is tough. There is much heartbreak everywhere I turn and so many unanswered questions. In the midst of the heartbreak, it can feel as if God has gone MIA. It’s especially hard to trace His hand when the unthinkable happens.
Ever been there?
Sweet friend, I’m learning that the more time I spend in God’s word, the more my focus shifts and I am able to breathe. I may still struggle with understanding all the why’s and how’s but I am able to feel more of a settled peace in my soul as I release my worries to God.
2 Corinthians 4:16 says, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.”
I find it interesting that God tells us twice in this chapter not to lose heart (vs. 1 and vs. 16). The phrase “lose heart” literally means to become discouraged. It is important to note in this chapter that God tells us not just once but twice not to become discouraged by the trials of this life. Truth be told, it’s hard not to become discouraged when terrible heartbreaking circumstances come our way. It’s hard but not impossible.
The more time we spend in God’s word, allowing Him to shift our focus, the more He renews our soul. See, the key to making the almost impossible actually possible lies in a shift of focus from the temporary to the eternal. Verses 17-18 gives us insight on shifting our focus. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
Friend, this encourages my heart and I pray it encourages yours as well. All the heartbreak this side of Heaven is just temporary. It’s hard and devastating but it won’t last forever. One day we will see the big picture – the one that our good and great God sees and one day we will understand. This is the hope that I hold onto when I can’t understand.
Sweet friend, hold onto this hope – it’s our lifeline. Don’t give up. Don’t lose heart. There is a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory in the works.
Dear God,
This week has been really hard and heartbreaking. There has been so many unknowns, sadness, and heartbreak all around me that is weighing my soul down. Thank you for your promise of hope found in the pages of your Word. Thank you for reminding me that the heartache in this life won’t last forever – it is only temporary. Help me to trust you more in the valleys when I don’t understand and to know when I need to shift my focus so that I don’t get discouraged Thank you for renewing my soul and giving me peace. In Jesus name, Amen.
Dig deeper:
“And He who was seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then He said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5 ESV
Reflection:
What is one step you can make today to shift your focus from the temporary to the eternal?