This morning, I’m hovering over the bookends presented by Paul in 2Corinthians 4. A chapter where Paul talks about the ministry given him “by the mercy of God” (4:1) That of proclaiming the gospel in a world where many not only didn’t want to hear Paul’s proclamation but reacted viscerally and violently against it, their minds blinded to the good news by “the god of this world” (4:4).

And Paul physically bore in his body the blows of the gospel’s rejection as he was afflicted, perplexed, and persecuted being “given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh” (4:8-11). The wounds and scars bearing witness that, while the treasure of the gospel which he carried may have been eternal and invincible, he himself was but a “jar of clay” (4:7). But while his body may have been taking a beating, Paul would declare not once but twice, “We do not lose heart.”

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

(2Corinthians 4:1, 16 ESV)

We do not lose heart . . . We do not lose heart. Worthy chewing on, I think.

While following Christ for me looks way different than what it looked like for Paul, following Christ for both of us means taking up a cross (Luke 9:23) and, at some point, that’s gonna hurt. Cross-bearing has a way of making real the fact that we are all but “jars of clay.” And yet, like Paul, we too can say, “We do not lose heart.”

Though our “outer self’ may be taking it in the teeth, we can know an inner self that is being renewed day by day. So, what’s the secret sauce for renewal? Perspective.

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.

(2Corinthians 4:17-18 ESV)

Whatever’s hammering me — whatever! — is a light momentary affliction when compared to the promise I possess of an eternal weight of glory. The life-draining difficulties of the here and now will certainly give way to unimaginable delights of a glorious there and then. The pain experienced today will be exchanged for the presence of God in a not too distant tomorrow. Seen things will be traded in for unseen things. Transient grief is going to give way to eternal glory. So we do not lose heart.

How we need perspective in order to persevere. How we need to set our minds on things above in order to keep dealing with the stuff below.

How we gonna do that? One way — one really vital way — is by staying in God’s word.

It’s time in the Word that maintains my perspective. It’s reading my Bible frequently and regularly which renews my inner self day in and day out. It’s that heaven-connect habit which help me to not lose heart.

By His grace. For His glory.