"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)
What is the best way to learn something? It is through repetition. That is why effective marketing has a lot of repetition in it. I could start different commercial jingles or slogans and you could most likely finish them without much of a problem. Why? Because you have heard them over and over and over and over again.
So when the Holy Spirit inspired the authors of the Bible to repeat something we ought to sit up and really take notice. I mean, everything in the Bible is very important but those principles that are repeated are that much more important for us to learn, remember and apply to our lives.
Such is the case with the fourth chapter of 2 Corinthians. Paul opens the chapter in verse one with the words:
"...we do not lose heart."
He then wraps up the thought in verse 16 with the same exact repetition:
"Therefore, we do not lose heart."
And Paul tells us why and how this can be, even when you are facing challenges in your ministry. Not losing heart is tied directly to having an eternal perspective. Your affliction is real - but it is light in comparison to the weight of glory it is producing in your life. The present pain being caused by your affliction in ministry does not even begin to compare with the eternal reward it will produce in you.
So today, my fellow follower of Jesus Christ and hurting ministry leader, do not lose heart! Let me repeat that! DO NOT LOSE HEART!
feel free to leave a comment or email me at skdistler@gmail.com
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