devotional post # 2168

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

2Co 4:16 So we do not lose our enthusiasm. Though our outer man is being destroyed, our inner one is being renewed day by day.
2Co 4:17 Because this insignificant momentary suffering is preparing for us an extraordinary permanent weight of brightness,
2Co 4:18 as we look not to the things that we can now see but to the things that we cannot now see. Because the things that we can see are temporary, but the things that we cannot see are permanent.

how to stay enthusiastic

Paul’s method of maintaining his enthusiasm for ministry amid a life of hardships and disappointments is his perspective. He sees the end of the game. He sees the permanent extraordinary weight of brightness of Christ’s image, perfectly formed in him and in the others he reaches for Christ. Compared to that, these things he suffers along the way are insignificant and temporary. Destruction of the outer man is hard, but for the resurrection and perfection of the inner one, it is worth it.

LORD, give us Paul’s perspective on suffering, so we do not lose our enthusiasm for life and ministry.