When we’re feeling afflicted we may have a tendency to spiral downward and feel overwhelmed. The Apostle Paul faced incredible challenges, but he did not succumb to self-pity. In one of his most personal letters, he challenged the Corinthians not to lose heart:

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, (2 Corinthians 4:1)

The phrase lose heart conveys the idea of giving in to our base nature and becoming spiritually exhausted. Paul however, refused to capitulate to his circumstances and yield to exhaustion, but he demonstrated remarkable tenacity in the midst of adversity:

we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (2 Corinthians 4:8-10)

Although Paul faced significant challenges, he remained indefatigable in the face of adversity. He concluded his exhortation with a reminder not to lose heart:

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16)

Perhaps Paul was feeling the cumulative effect of the many challenges he faced combined with the toll of the years that caused him to remark that his outer man was decaying. Paul was keenly aware of the weaknesses of his earthly body, but he also realized the sanctifying work of God in his inner man. God was transforming him spiritually into the image of His Son:

and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— (Colossians 3:10)

How are we able not to lost heart in the face of extreme adversity? Paul revealed that we must maintain an eternal perspective:

For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

Paul viewed his near death experiences (stonings, floggings, shipwreck, cold, and exposure) as momentary, light affliction. How could he say that? Paul contrasted the temporal, with the eternal and the physical with the spiritual. The physical is that which is seen and the spiritual is that which is unseen.

Paul taught us that as we become weaker physically, we can become stronger spiritually. We must realize that those things that are enjoyable and those things that are troubling are momentary, but that which matters is eternal. This perspective can enable us to face life’s difficulties and not lose heart. We must look past momentary, physical problems to the eternal, spiritual reality.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

Follow me on twitter:  rickhiggins5