As I watch the snow continue to fall, I have to admit, it doesn’t feel like I’m living in San Antonio, Texas. It was just a few weeks ago, it was 80 degrees! I would never have believed we’d experience a major snow week that would affect almost everyone in the state.
And who said that 2021 would be better? I was so very happy to say goodbye to 2020, and then 2021 began. To be honest, I haven’t felt particularly encouraged by the events of 2021. I am sobered by the stories I’ve read about what Texans have gone through this week. How do we deal with ongoing trials in our life?
I’ve been thinking a lot about the Apostle Paul this week. He had a unique perspective on suffering as he had suffered so much! Take a look at his perspective below:
”But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned, struck down, but not destroyed…… 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 unsee. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-9, 16-18)
Paul was a wanted man because of what he was for Christ. People wanted to murder him for his faith. He lived with stress every single day. Paul was a man who suffered more than you or I will ever suffer. Yet he didn’t let the stress and ongoing challenges crush him. That’s where I think we struggle…we allow the ongoing stress and anxiety crush us. We tend to cave in to our circumstances. Here are some of my thoughts on this scripture:
I’ve been thinking a lot about the Apostle Paul this week. He had a unique perspective on suffering as he had suffered so much! Take a look at his perspective below:
”But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned, struck down, but not destroyed…… 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 unsee. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-9, 16-18)
Paul was a wanted man because of what he was for Christ. People wanted to murder him for his faith. He lived with stress every single day. Paul was a man who suffered more than you or I will ever suffer. Yet he didn’t let the stress and ongoing challenges crush him. That’s where I think we struggle…we allow the ongoing stress and anxiety crush us. We tend to cave in to our circumstances. Here are some of my thoughts on this scripture:
1.Triumph of Christ in Paul’s life- Paul was hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned, struck down, but not destroyed. Did you see what Paul is NOT experiencing? Look at the triumph in Paul’s life. He got it! He was in so many difficult circumstances that he realized that it was only the power and victory of Jesus that could meet his need.
2. We don’t lose heart- Paul probably knew what we’d want to ask him: “How can you NOT lose heart, Paul?” It’s easy to lose heart and want to quit when trials mount up. Don’t let pain, fatigue or even criticism of others stop you from persevering with Christ! Will you trust God in the midst of your crushing circumstance? Please, do not lose heart.
3. Fix your eyes on what is NOT seen- We humans tend to live in the here and now. But Paul saw that this life is not all there is! Because of Jesus in his life, he lived with eternity in his heart. He knew that this life was temporary and he lived with that in mind. It helped him get through a bunch of trials!
We don’t know what 2021 will bring. But, please, do not lose heart. And if you are, please feel free to email me: Nancya@ymcasatx.org. I'd love to encourage and pray for you.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
3. Fix your eyes on what is NOT seen- We humans tend to live in the here and now. But Paul saw that this life is not all there is! Because of Jesus in his life, he lived with eternity in his heart. He knew that this life was temporary and he lived with that in mind. It helped him get through a bunch of trials!
We don’t know what 2021 will bring. But, please, do not lose heart. And if you are, please feel free to email me: Nancya@ymcasatx.org. I'd love to encourage and pray for you.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
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