Pastor Delaine's Weekly Wednesday Greeting
Greetings! When we find ourselves discouraged and frustrated we need a good friend who will ask us, “What have you been focused on recently?” After describing to the Corinthians how this world’s struggles don’t last long compared to the eternity waiting for them, Paul shared his secret for making it through discouraging times. Take a look: 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 4:18 NLT By now you know that Paul’s secret for enduring hard times involved what he focused on in the hard times. He began, “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now.” He actually said that he refused to dwell on, and rehearse in his mind all the struggles this life was dumping on him which he could see. Instead he said, “We fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.” Paul made a habit of dwelling on and rehearsing in his mind all the wonders of eternity just ahead. In other words he focused on heaven and refused to be caught up in his difficulties on earth. To persuade the Corinthians to follow his lead, Paul concluded his thoughts, “For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” Paraphrased he said, “We refuse to waste our time worrying and moaning about how hard this short life is that we can see, when directly ahead of us is a yet-to-be-seen amazing, eternal life in God’s heaven.” So what have you been focusing on recently? Let’s find new joy even in difficulties by imitating Paul’s focus on eternity. Blessings! Delaine |
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