2 Corinthians 4:16

"Do not lose heart." It's so easy to say, but it's often much more difficult to live out when we find ourselves going through a struggle. Paul describes the decay that our bodies here on Earth are experiencing, while at the same time there is an inner transformation going on. While our outer selves are wasting away, our inner selves are being renewed by God working in our weakness. The command "do not lose heart" is not tied to our own strength or abilities, because it's evident that we can't do it on our own. Our outer selves are wasting away. Our hope and motivation is tied to our future, not our frustrations here on Earth.

PRAY: God, We praise you for the way that you work through our weakness. Lord, I confess the times that I try to push through on my own strength, rather than relying on the strength and renewal that you are working within me each day. Help us not to lose heart in the struggles we face, but to lean on you alone for strength. In Jesus' name, Amen.