Sometimes our bodies just don’t want to cooperate anymore. All of my life I’ve heard older folks say, “Gettin’ old ain’t easy!” And they are Right! It ain’t! And I’m not really “old,” yet! 😳 (At least, I don’t think so 😉 and please, pardon my grammar).
Well, recently, I was feeling the effects of that aging process, and pain … a lot of Pain! I’ll confess it now… I was fretting and worried about what’s to come. In the midst of the fretting and worry, the Lord reminded me of some verses about not despairing. I could not stop thinking of the phrase, “but not despairing”… I wondered “Where is that in Scripture anyway?” 🤔
So, I Googled it. Now I only say this because you really can find Scripture through Google. That is a great piece of advice from one of my Bible study friends (Thank you MA! 🥰). I’ve never been very good at remembering actually where verses are located in the Bible so this has become a well used Google feature for me! 🙂
Anyway, Google directed me to 2 Corinthians 4 …
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not in despair;
persecuted but not abandoned;
Struck down, but not destroyed.”
2 Corinthians 4: 8-9 NIV
These words spoke to my heart and comforted my soul. They were so rich that I had to keep reading. The Lord really got my attention later in the chapter…
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4: 16-18
That certainly adjusted my attitude! I felt like the Lord was telling me that outward me may completely fall apart. I will be alright. He is in control and will continue to renew the inward me daily. I just have to keep my eyes on the eternal, on Him!
Sometimes, I forget that His Grace is still sufficient and He will still supply all my needs (2 Corinthians 12:9)! I really love how the Lord will often use one thing, like the “not despairing” phrase stuck in my thoughts, to direct me to more good stuff for me to really ponder. Thank You Lord! 🙌
I hope these verses bless and encourage you as they have encouraged me! 🥰 Thank you so much for following Hope and a Dash of Humor! May The Lord richly bless and comfort you!
Kim 💕
Hope and a Dash of Humor 