Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 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. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 — New King James Version)
This is the second time the phrase “we do not lose heart” is used in this chapter — a prerequisite attitude for anyone with faith in the Lord Jesus. When we believe in Him we cannot allow ourselves to lose heart, to give in to negative feelings, or be defeated by negative circumstances. When we know God, we know His will for our lives and there is no reason to lose heart or be hopeless about the future. We stand on the promises of God, not circumstances.
The ideas in this passage have always been a great encouragement to me. It contrasts three pairs of opposites: affliction and glory; the seen and the unseen; the temporary and the eternal. Life is a constant war between these three pairs of attitudes. If we concentrate on our afflictions, only what we see, and the temporary, we block God and our faith shrivels away. But if we concentrate on the glory to come, the unseen world of God and His power, and the eternal blessing to come, nothing in this world… nothing will have the power to destroy us.
We know that the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write these words, and yet, who better than Paul to write them? When he speaks about affliction he knows what he’s talking about; he experienced some of the worst hardships anyone can experience. So when he challenges us not to lose heart, he knows from experience that it is possible to obey that command and to stand firm in the faith.
It’s a real temptation to feel overwhelmed at certain times in our lives. Yet God’s phrase for our troubles in this passage is: light affliction which is but for a moment. All our problems and troubles are lumped into one category in God’s mind: light and momentary. On the other hand, the devil wants us to look at them as heavy and permanent. If we choose to go with God’s mindset — trusting in what He says — we’ll be amazed at the power, inspiration, and endurance that flows from God into our spirit, making us true warriors. Paul is not encouraging positive thinking, but something far greater. As Hebrews 11:1 says: “Faith is the evidence of things not seen.”
Do not lose heart.
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