Nobody sets out in life saying, “I wonder if what kind of poor decisions I can make.” Nobody when they get married has already made up their mind that they’re going to get a divorce. Nobody intentionally looks forward to a bad life or to a bad work environment or an unhealthy home life and the like. But it can end up that way. The truth is, bad things happen. Bad things happen all of us.
I’m convinced that nobody should hear bad news by themselves. Or sit in the waiting room of a hospital or an emergency room all by themselves. God has called us to live in community with other people. People who love us and care about what we’re going through. In the passage we’re looking out today, Paul is giving a dose of encouragement to people who really need it. Because of God’s incredible love for us and the love which binds Christians together, Paul can say we don’t lose heart. Even though the circumstances maybe tough. Even though our physical bodies maybe failing us. Even though things at work aren’t the best. He said that there’s another compass to use to navigate your life. Because all of us face the challenges of declining health eventually or in economic reversal or a relationship issue, he would tell us to put that into a divine perspective.
It’s looking at the eternal the brings comfort and understanding to the present. Our bodies are going to waste away. But, in Christ, we could actually get stronger. Here’s a great verse to think about: “Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 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.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18