2 Cor 4:16 “So we do not lose heart”
Losing heart or losing faith is always an option. Sometimes, we do not have heart or the faith to persevere. Feeling overwhelmed and weak, we are ready to give up on ministry, projects, relationships, tasks, dreams, and faith.
An amusing story that I often use involves an office worker who was assigned a mailing task to be completed overnight. When the supervisor arrived at the office the next morning, there was a note on the mountain of unprocessed mail which said, “Too hard! Went home!”
At any given time, Paul the Apostle had reasons to be disheartened, to feel that his job was too hard. He was distressed when he wrote this second letter to the fledgling Christian community in Corinth. He was the first to proclaim the Christian message to this group and help them to establish a church, yet they were experiencing a crisis of confidence towards him, which undoubtedly caused him great anguish.
If Paul had depended on himself and trusted only in his own skills and fortitude, he might have lost heart and therefore lose faith. He might have decided that it was not worth his time and effort to keep trying to build up the troubled Corinthian church or all the other early churched. But, instead he trusted in the divine power and strength and wisdom. “Since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart,” he stated. Paul teaches us that the journey of life is not always easy. He teaches that the plans we make will have struggles, challenges and endings as well as the promise of accomplishments, joys and new beginnings. However, our plans are not always God’s plan.
As we faithfully move forward on our journey through life, we must trust that God is in our plans, were we are able to move forward with the confidence, knowing that our labor is not in vain. Through the uncertainties of this mortal life God may lead us down unplanned paths. But we are able to move forward knowing the certainty of immorality through the work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Losing heart or losing faith is always an option. Sometimes, we do not have heart or the faith to persevere. Feeling overwhelmed and weak, we are ready to give up on ministry, projects, relationships, tasks, dreams, and faith.
An amusing story that I often use involves an office worker who was assigned a mailing task to be completed overnight. When the supervisor arrived at the office the next morning, there was a note on the mountain of unprocessed mail which said, “Too hard! Went home!”
At any given time, Paul the Apostle had reasons to be disheartened, to feel that his job was too hard. He was distressed when he wrote this second letter to the fledgling Christian community in Corinth. He was the first to proclaim the Christian message to this group and help them to establish a church, yet they were experiencing a crisis of confidence towards him, which undoubtedly caused him great anguish.
If Paul had depended on himself and trusted only in his own skills and fortitude, he might have lost heart and therefore lose faith. He might have decided that it was not worth his time and effort to keep trying to build up the troubled Corinthian church or all the other early churched. But, instead he trusted in the divine power and strength and wisdom. “Since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart,” he stated. Paul teaches us that the journey of life is not always easy. He teaches that the plans we make will have struggles, challenges and endings as well as the promise of accomplishments, joys and new beginnings. However, our plans are not always God’s plan.
As we faithfully move forward on our journey through life, we must trust that God is in our plans, were we are able to move forward with the confidence, knowing that our labor is not in vain. Through the uncertainties of this mortal life God may lead us down unplanned paths. But we are able to move forward knowing the certainty of immorality through the work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Paul’s words and witness encourage us to “… walk by faith and not by sight,” to trust that in which is eternal rather than temporary, and to allow the “momentary affliction” prepare us for glory!” I know that some of us are going through though times right now but, “Let Go and Let God!” By the Grace of God, “Who has given us Jesus as a guarantee, who has given us the Holy Spirit as our comforter and guide." We are able to take heart and keep on keeping on rather than saying “Too hard. Went Home… Going to Hell!”
Adapted By: Elder Michael L. Hargett
Original Print: Copyright © 2004 Christ is Risen!
Adapted By: Elder Michael L. Hargett
Original Print: Copyright © 2004 Christ is Risen!
Copyright 2006 © Hard2Get Ministries, Inc.
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