encouragement from an Apostle

'But we have this treasure in jars of clay,

to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;

perplexed, but not driven to despair;

persecuted, but not forsaken;

struck down, but not destroyed;

so we do not lose heart.

Though our outer nature is wasting away, 

our inner nature is being renewed

day by day.

For this slight and momentary affliction is preparing 

for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

as we look not to things that are seen

but to the things that are unseen.

For the things that are seen are transient,

but the things that are seen are eternal.'

2 Corinthians 4:7-9, 16-18
~Apostle Paul

We are not called to pretend as though we are not struggling. We are not called to deny our affliction, our persecution or the fact that we are perplexed or struck down. We are called to look beyond what is seen and set our eyes on what is not seen. 

"What in the WORLD does that mean?" you wonder. First, it is not easy, simply because what is seen and what is tangible is a lot more natural to believe or follow simply because it is just that, tangible. But, as we pursue God through prayer, fellowship with other believers and reading His Word--His love letter written for us--our perspective will change. We will begin to understand what Apostle Paul means when he calls our affliction slight and momentary. We will begin to see the eternal value in our pain and God is not only using it to refine us, but to minister to those around us, if we will allow. In all of eternity, our life is  only a moment in time, a vapor. The things that perplex us now will have no eternal place on the other side of heaven. 

Are you powerless? I am too. But our God isn't. Surpassing power belongs to Him--power that surpasses any moment in time, any betrayal, any hateful word or spiteful act. Although life may be unraveling, our bodies are wrinkling and our checkbooks are a mess, these are only temporary. God is using these things to prepare us as well as to refine us into people of grace, mercy and perseverance. 

O Father, that we would long to linger over the words of Your love letter to us this morning. O God, that our hearts would rest in the simple beauty of Your presence. May your Spirit, strength and mercy wash over us today as we seek Your face and pursue Your likeness. Amen

<><tce