Jen Smidt » Worship Heart Gospel Sin Suffering

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” 2 Corinthians 4:16–17

People everywhere are feeling it. It is often called being bummed out or even depressed.

Many scenarios call for it—losing a job, a home, or one’s health. 

Walking through difficult trials seemingly demands it—strained relationships, decimated finances.

At one time or another, it will happen to each one of us. We will lose heart. Circumstances reveal what is truly a much deeper condition.

9 Forms of a Lost Heart

In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul urges us to “not lose heart.” When we lose heart, we find ourselves adrift again in the sea of lie, fear, and unbelief. It can take many forms:

1. We lose heart when we make the weight of our sin greater than the glory of Christ’s righteousness.
2. We lose heart when we turn away from the Lord in fear, shame, selfishness, or laziness.
3. We lose heart when we stop beholding his glory.
4. We lose heart when we harden our hearts to the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
5. We lose heart when we forget whom power comes from.
6. We lose heart when we are afflicted and believe our affliction will crush us.
7. We lose heart when we are unwilling to carry in our bodies the sufferings of Jesus, only desiring ease and comfort.
8. We lose heart when we stop believing and speaking in faith.
9. We lose heart when we resist grace and start grumbling.

Not Bootstraps, but Glory

Paul’s exhortation is not simply a pull-yourself-up-from-your-bootstraps battle cry, disconnected from God and devoid of supernatural power. It is connected to “this ministry by the mercy of God.” We learn about this ministry and mercy from the previous verses in 2 Corinthians 3:16–18:

But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Turning to the Lord in times of trial is evidence that you have not lost heart completely. Turning to Jesus and beholding his glory removes the veil of darkness. We are being transformed over the course of our lifetimes through the trials, toils and snares. The glory of God has shone in our hearts through Christ so we do not lose heart.

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