“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
What enables us to endure though our struggles seem too much to bear? It is our hope in God. This hope, rooted in God’s character, provides us with the strong confidence that we are never alone no matter what life brings our way.
We have hope because in our suffering we experience God’s sustaining presence.
We have hope in our suffering because God provides daily inner renewal.
We have hope because our suffering is temporary.
2 Corinthians 4:18 - “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.”
Even if I carry this struggle for the rest of my life here on this earth, even that is temporary compared to eternity.
Paul says the secret to survival in the trials of life is to focus on the unseen. At first that sounds like nonsense. Paul is saying however that must understand that God knew the trials were coming into our lives. He allowed them for His purpose. He is using them to teach us. He is drawing us close. He is deepening our faith and character. He is preparing us for something eternal.
It’s here that we focus on Jesus. Jesus faced suffering and was victorious. We can learn from His life and His sufferings. We listen to His Words. Remember the truth and the evidence of His resurrection. Cling to His promises. Believe Him when He tells us that those who trust Him will live even though they die. If we remember that nothing can ultimately defeat us, we will know a new strength in the time of suffering.
It is that God will for you and me to endure, to persevere, to remain constant, to keep our vows, to maintain your testimony, to hold steady. He will give us the strength to not give in or give up. Don’t quit. Don’t let doubt and discouragement and distractions steal away your heart when you're facing serious challenges.
Hope is our confident expectation rooted in the unchanging character of God.
Today’s Challenge: Hold on to your hope. Don’t let it go. Your hope is anchored in Jesus and he will not fail. Don’t give in to the lies that you won’t make it. God is faithful.
Discussion Questions:
- How would you define or describe hope?
- What gives you hope in the hard times?
- In which area of your life have you been tempted to give up your hope?
Recommended Resource: Hope in the Dark: Believing God is Good When Life is Not by Craig Groeschel
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