So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.  For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.  For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV

When you look around you, what do you see?  Do you see a country in chaos?  Do you see mass shootings?  Do you see murders?  Do you see people hating each other?  Or do you see hope?

I don’t watch the news because in all honesty I find it to be depressing.  What we see in this world could really drag us down if we spent too much time  dwelling on it.  Here in this scripture passage we are told to not lose heart.  If you are a Christian then you know that even as your physical body is wasting away, your spiritual body is being prepared to spend eternity in glory with God the Father.  I love the way Paul puts this when he says a “light momentary affliction”.  This life on earth is but a moment in time.  We are just passing through.

So when you face physical problems or emotional problems, know that like this life on earth, they are temporary and they are preparing us for an eternity in heaven.  If we live long enough, we will all face terrible times.  We will maybe even wonder why God allows us to go through some of the things that we go through.  But we must remember what  He allowed His son to go through in order to save us from our sin. I know, it would be great if we could all live this heaven on earth type existence once we accepted Christ as our savior, but it doesn’t work that way.  Sadly, once we accept Christ as our savior, that’s when the real trouble starts.  That’s when the devil starts trying his best to get us back.  As long as we are doing things his way, he is content and leaves us alone.  This is where we must remember our hope.  When we face difficult times, we must not lose faith and hope in the Christ that saved us.  He is there for us.  One of my favorite verses when I face difficult times is Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you;  be not dismayed, for I am your God;  I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous hand.”

Don’t hope in the things that you see.  If your hope is in the politicians in our cities, parishes, state and country then I hope that works out well for you, but the track record I have seen is not so good.  My hope is in Jesus Christ.  I know that  He never leaves me nor forsakes me.  I have been through some dark times in my life, but I know that He is the way, the truth, and the life and that no one comes to the father except by Him (John 14:6).  I know that my hope needs to be in the things that I do not see.  I am so glad for that because quite frankly, the things I do see are pretty hopeless.  But I serve a mighty, powerful God and my strength is in Him.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! (Phillipians 4:13).  I know who I believe in. I know where my hope and my strength comes from.

I have lived life in the darkness and I am so happy to now be in the light.  My prayer for you today is that you too have found your way and have hope in the things that you do not see, not in what you do see.  I also hope that you are shining like a lighthouse in the fog for those around you.  Remember that you may be the only bible that some people ever read.  Are they going to see someone who is upset over the darkness that is all around or someone that is shining through?  I pray that you are shining and leading them out of the darkness and out of the fog.

Have a great day!