Don’t Lose Heart
With the current state our world is in, with all the uncertainties 2020 has thrown our way, there seems to be a blanket of heaviness surrounding everything. The pandemic and unrest have served as a reminder that our world is broken, fragile, and in need of a Savior. For some, this heaviness causes anxiety or depression, and for others, it has been a call to be on our knees in prayer. Even though I’ve tried to stay positive, I’ve struggled with feelings of discouragement and anxiety, and sometimes despair wants to creep in, too. Will our world ever go back to normal? Will revival come from all of this, or will everything go from bad to worse?
As I was looking through old Bible notes and thinking about what to write about today, I noticed some notes on 2 Corinthians 4, and this phrase stood out to me: “do not lose heart.”
At the beginning and the end of 2 Corinthians 4, Paul says they do not lose heart, and the rest of the chapter explains why.
Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, 2 Corinthians 4:1
In this chapter, Paul is encouraging the Corinthians, telling them that they are not going to lose heart in their ministry, but are walking in the truth. Despite the hardships they were facing, they would continue to preach Christ and remember that eternity would far outweigh any hardships they were suffering.
For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6
In the midst of the darkness, the light of Christ shines bright. This verse is so encouraging for our current situation. It feels like we are in dark times, but that is when the Light shines brightest and when God’s glory becomes clear and exalted. One great reason to not lose heart is to remember that the work of salvation does not fall upon us. God is the One who shines the light of the gospel in people’s hearts; our job is simply to share the gospel, no matter people’s responses.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you. 2 Corinthians 4:7-12
Paul saw hardships as an opportunity for God’s power to be displayed and Christ’s life to be seen through him. This perspective helps us to have hope and not lose heart because we know that God can be glorified in any circumstance.
Hardships reveal the greatness of God’s power. It’s not in us that the world can be changed or that people come to saving faith in Christ. It’s all by God’s power. Whatever we go through can be used to glorify Christ and make us more like Him.
For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:15
The purpose of the apostles’ endurance was that God’s grace, which is spreading to more people, will cause “the giving of thanks” and praise of God’s glory. Our endurance is for the same purpose – to cause giving of thanks and praise of God’s glory.
The chapter ends with a crescendo to this beautiful declaration:
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Despite growing older, despite suffering, our “inner man” is being made new daily. When Christ is in us, we become more beautiful each day. We also find hope and reason to not lose heart in knowing that our sufferings in this world produce eternal glory for us that is “beyond all comparison.” Paul chose to look not at the temporal but at the eternal. As believers, we cannot fix our gaze on this world. Instead, our gaze must be fixed on eternity. The way we live is influenced by where our gaze is fixed.
This chapter is full of perseverance, hope, and God’s glory. Paul didn’t give up because his hope was in eternity and God’s power to use hardships to grow His kingdom. Paul’s aim was for God’s glory to be displayed in his life.
I want perseverance like Paul had. That kind of endurance is only possible when my gaze and hope are fixed on the right source. Focus on this world causes hopelessness and burnout. But when I am focused on Christ, the eternal, and His kingdom, I can find hope and joy through His salvation. That hope and joy enables perseverance through any trial because we know our treasure is found in heaven, not in this world.
If I’m honest, when I’m struggling with anxiety, discouragement, or despair, it’s usually because I’m focused on the temporal. If I’m anxious about juggling homework and personal responsibilities, or I’m anxious about the state of our world, I become all-consumed with the here-and-now and am drained of strength. But if I focus on Christ’s strength instead of my own, His eternal kingdom instead of this earthly one, there is so much more joy in my daily life, activities, and heart. An eternity-mindset is what enables us to not lose heart.
I hope you are encouraged today with this reminder to not lose heart. This isn’t just a catchy phrase to boost our spirits for an hour. We are told to not lose heart because our hope is in the One who holds the world together and has a beautiful eternity waiting for us. That is an unwavering hope that enables us to confidently say, “I will not lose heart!”
With love,
Kelsey
