Tag: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Success and Motivation: A Biblical Alternative

Posted in Blog, Devotions, J Kepler, JA Kepler, Jim Kepler, Jimmie A. Kepler, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie Kepler, Writer's Life, Writers, Writing6 Comments

Success and Motivation

Success and motivation have been interests of mine since my university days. Like two edges of the same sword, I’ve wondered and studied for decades what motivates people to succeed and how to motivate people to become all that the Creator intended them to become. 

My interests in this are even lead me to spend more than a year of my life researching and writing on the subject. The result of this adventure culminated over thirty-two years ago in my doctoral dissertation, “The Relationship of Two Theories of Motivation to Church Leader Motivation: An Examination of the Motivational Theories of Abraham Maslow and Douglas McGregor Within a Conservative Christian Perspective.”

I thought it would be fun to redress the world’s meaning of success and look at a Biblical definition of success based on the life of the Apostle Paul with application to the Christian writer.

What Success Is and Isn’t

Joshua 1:8 English Standard Version (ESV), “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

False Measures of Success

    • Looks – It’s not how I look.
    • Worth – It’s not how much money I have or how many books I’ve sold.
    • Connections – It’s not who I know but whose I am (here I mean being a Christian, that is a Believer in Jesus Christ).

How Success Is Determined

    • Success is determined by what I am.

Galatians 6:4 ESV, “But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.”

Real Success Defined

    • Real success is knowing God and living your life for Him.

A Biblical Definition of Success (from the life of the Apostle Paul)

S – Sense of Direction

Romans 15:20 (ESV), “and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation,”

Philippians 3:14 (ESV), “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

As a writer do you have a direction? Are you writing in a specific genre or all over the place? Do you start many works and finish none or few? It’s impossible to get to a destination if you don’t know where you’re going. Make sure you have a clear sense of direction.

U – Understanding

Philippians 4:12 (ESV), “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.”

2 Thessalonians 3:5 (ESV), “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”

Do you seek God’s guidance in your writing? Have you paid the price to learn your craft? Make sure you know the basics of the craft, understand who your target audience is, and follow the rules in your submissions, etc.

C – Commitment

Acts 20:24 (ESV), “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

Do you finish what you start? Are you honoring God in your life and your writing?

C – Compassion

1 Corinthians 13:2 – 3 (ESV), “And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

Colossians 3:12 (ESV), “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,”

Do you really care about your audience when you write? Is your motivation correct? Do you pray the price in knowing your craft, having quality editing, etc. ?

E – Enthusiastic Faith

Romans 8:31 (ESV), “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Philippians 4:13 (ESV), “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Are you excited about and love what you’re writing or are you trying to write to market for a check?

S – Servant to Others

2 Corinthians 8:19 (ESV), “And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will.”

2 Corinthians 12:15 (ESV), “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?”

As Christian writers we serve God and we serve our readers. Do you have a servant’s heart?

S -Staying Power

2 Corinthians 4:8 – 9 (ESV), “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;”

Do you finish what you start? Do you sit down on a regular basis and write? Do you submit your work?

Paul’s Secret to Success

Paul’s secret to success is summarized in 2 Corinthians 4:16 – 18 (ESV), “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, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

Photo Source: Image by Анастасия Гепп from Pixabay

Do Not Lose Heart

Posted in Blog, Cancer, Caregiver, Caregiving, Devotions, Hope, How to be Saved, How to Become a Christian, Jim Kepler, Jimmie A. Kepler, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie Kepler, Memoir, PrayersLeave a comment

Do Not Lose Heart

13.1 My Story

My wife was excited when the eleven months of taking the prescription chemotherapy medications ended.

I was expecting her to do a happy dance and to go celebrating her accomplishment. Instead of a time of rejoicing, it became a solemn watershed. She was tired of the handful of pills she took multiple times a day and the way they controlled her life and schedule.

“Jimmie, I will never do chemo again. I know you’ll support my decision,” she said with the authority and resolve of a drill sergeant barking orders.

I looked at her. I’m sure she saw the questioning, the disappointment, the lack of understanding in my face. I knew better than to question her decision. Her mind was made up. Challenging her decision would bring her to tears. Confronting her choice would breach my commitment to her.

I prayed for God to give me wisdom before I replied. I heard myself say, “You have decided never to do chemo again. You request me to support your decision. Is that correct?”

“Don’t be so clinical. Please, do not treat me like you did the children when they were young,” she said deliberately with an attitude almost spitting each word at me.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized. “I was just restating what you said to make sure I heard you correctly.”

“You heard me. Our body isn’t made to take these treatments. You can’t imagine how horrible they are.”

I just looked at her and listened as she continued talking.

“I’m not saying I want to die today. I don’t want to die. However, I know that I have an eternity with Jesus Christ in Heaven, waiting at the end of this horrible journey. No pain, no suffering, a new body, a grand family reunion with my family and your mother (my mother was deceased, my dad would live another three months). It’s only because of the final destination that I can continue with this journey with the Melanoma Cancer. Living with cancer is hard. It’s terrible.”

13.2 Not Losing Heart

Part of caring for a person with a chronic illness is not losing heart. Your maintaining a positive attitude helps you to provide the best care. Keeping an optimistic view helps maintain our outlook from an eternal perspective.

In 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 verse, God is pointing out we should view all earthly adversity in comparison with our future heavenly glory. When we do this, we should be strengthened to endure our human trials.

13.3 Bible Verse

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (KJV), “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

13.4 What the Verse Means

While our bodies (outward man) grow old and suffer from diseases, our spiritual side (inward man) is renewed daily. Too often, we only focus on the things we see in this present life. We need to also focus on the spiritual, that is the things that are not seen but given to us by God as a future promise. 

We see this with our “spiritual eyes.” It takes belief. A part of faith is believing that what God has promised he will undoubtedly bring to pass. I have confidence in God’s word and promises.

13.5 Pray Using Scripture

  • Heavenly Father help me to focus on You, my loved one’s final destination and never to lose heart.
  • Lord Jesus, help me remember that while my loved one’s outer body is perishing, yet their inward body is being renewed daily.
  • God, I realize the chronic illness my loved one is facing won’t last forever but is working in them and me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
  • Lord God help me to not look at my loved one’s circumstances which are temporary but to look on the things that are not now seen, but eternal.

13.6 Responding to God’s Hope

  1. Lord Jesus, help me have the courage to see my loved one’s situation from their point of view. 
  2. God in Heaven, help me to support their choices. 
  3. Father, help me to listen to my loved one. 

13.7 Takeaway

It is helpful to maintain our perspective toward our loved one and caregiving from an eternal perspective.

If you are not a Christian, accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior is a prerequisite to obtaining God’s peace.
Click HERE to find out how to become a Christian. You can trust Jesus Christ and become a Christian now.

Photo Source: Image by dalnimi oh from Pixabay

This blog is from the forthcoming book, “Caregiving: Biblical Insights from a Caregiver’s Journey by Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Ed.D.

To receive a notification when “Caregiving: Biblical Insights from a Caregiver’s Journey by Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Ed.D. is available and to get occasional updates on the writing of Jimmie Aaron Kepler, please complete the “Email Sign-up” found in the far left column of the blog.

Do Not Lose Heart

Posted in Blog, Caregiver, Caregiving, Devotions, Hope, Jim Kepler, Jimmie A. Kepler, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie Kepler, Memoir, PrayersLeave a comment

13 Do Not Lose Heart

13.1 My Story

My wife was excited when the eleven months of taking the prescription chemotherapy medications ended.

I was expecting her to do a happy dance and to go celebrating her accomplishment. Instead of a time of rejoicing, it became a solemn watershed. She was tired of the handful of pills she took multiple times a day.

“Jimmie, I will never do chemo again. I know you’ll support my decision,” she said with the authority and resolve of a military general ordering troops into battle.

I looked at her. I’m sure she saw the fear, the disappointment, the lack of understanding in my face. I knew better than to question her decision. Her mind was made up. Questioning her decision would bring her to tears. Challenging her choice would breach my commitment to her.

I prayed for God to give me wisdom before I replied. I heard myself say, “You have decided never to do chemo again. You request me to support your decision. Is that correct?”

“Don’t be so clinical. Please, do not treat me like you did the children when they were young,” she demanded.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized. “I was just restating what you said to make sure I heard you correctly.”

“You heard me. Our body isn’t made to take these terrible treatments. You can’t imagine how horrible they are.”

I just looked at her and listened as she continued talking.

“I’m not saying I want to die today. I don’t want to die. However, I know that I have an eternity with Jesus Christ in Heaven waiting at the end of this dreadful journey. No pain, no suffering, a new body, a grand family reunion with my family and your mother (at the time of the conversation my mother was deceased, my dad would live another three months). It’s only because of the final destination that I can continue with this adventure as you like to call it with Melanoma. Living with cancer is hard. It’s terrible. I pray you and the children never experience it.”

13.2 Not Losing Heart

Part of learning to care for a person with a chronic illness is not losing heart. Your maintaining a positive attitude helps you to provide the best care. An optimistic view helps to maintain our outlook from an eternal perspective.

In 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 verse, God is pointing out we should view all earthly adversity in comparison with our future heavenly glory. When we do this, we should be strengthened to endure our human trials.

13.3 Bible Verse

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (KJV), “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

13.4 What the Verse Means

While our bodies (outward man) grow old and suffer from diseases, our spiritual side (inward man) is renewed daily. Too often we only focus on the things we see in this present life. We need to also focus on the spiritual, that is the things that are not seen but given to us by God as a future promise. 

Seeing with “spiritual eyes” takes belief. A part of faith is believing that what God has promised he will undoubtedly bring to pass. I have confidence in God’s word and promises.

13.5 Pray Using Scripture

  • Heavenly Father help me to focus on you, our loved one’s final destination and never lose heart.
  • Lord Jesus, help me remember that while my loved one’s outer body is perishing, yet their inward body is being renewed daily.
  • God, I realize the chronic illness my loved one is facing won’t last forever but is working in them and me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
  • Lord God help me to not look at my loved one’s circumstances which are temporary but to look on the things that are not now seen, but eternal.

13.6 Responding to God’s Hope

  1. Lord Jesus, help me have the courage to see my loved one’s situation from their point of view.
  2. God in Heaven help me to support their choices.
  3.  Father help me to listen to my loved on.

Photo Source: Image by dalnimi oh from Pixabay

This blog post is from the forthcoming book, “Caregiving: Biblical Insights from a Caregiver’s Journey” by Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Ed.D.

To receive a notification when “Caregiving: Biblical Insights from a Caregiver’s Journey” by Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Ed.D. is available and to get occasional updates on the writing of Jimmie Aaron Kepler please complete the “Email Sign-up”  found in the far left column of the blog.

Do Not Lose Heart

Posted in Blog, Caregiver, Caregiving, Devotions, Hope, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie Kepler, Memoir, PrayersLeave a comment

Not Losing Heart

Part of learning to care for a person with a chronic illness is not losing heart. Your maintaining a positive attitude helps you to provide the best care. To keep an optimistic attitude, it is helpful to maintain our outlook from an eternal perspective.

In today’s verse, God is pointing out we should view all earthly adversity in comparison with our future heavenly glory. When we do this, we should be strengthened to endure our human trials.

My Story

My wife was excited when the eleven months of her taking the prescription chemotherapy medications concluded.

I was expecting her to do a happy dance and to go celebrating her accomplishment. Instead of a time of rejoicing, it became a solemn watershed. She was tired of the handful of pills she took multiple times a day.

“Jimmie, I will never do chemo again. I know you’ll support my decision,” she said with the authority and resolve of a military general ordering troops into battle.

I looked at her. I’m sure she saw the questioning, the disappointment, the lack of understanding in my face. I knew better than to question her decision. Her mind was made up. Questioning her decision would bring her to tears. Challenging her choice would breach my commitment to her.

I prayed for God to give me wisdom before I replied. I heard myself say, “You have decided to never do chemo again. You request for me to support your decision. Is that correct?”

“Don’t be so clinical. Please do not treat me like you did the children when they were young,” she demanded.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized. “I was just restating what you said to make sure I heard you correctly.”

“You heard me. Our body isn’t made to take these treatments. You can’t imagine how horrible they are.”

I just looked at her and listened as she continued talking.

“I’m not saying I want to die today. I don’t want to die. However, I know that I have an eternity with Jesus Christ in Heaven waiting at the end of this horrible journey. No pain, no suffering, a new body, a grand family reunion with my family and your mother (my mother was deceased, my dad would live another 3 months). It’s only because of the final destination that I can continue with this journey with Melanoma. Living with cancer is hard. It’s terrible.”

Bible Verse

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (KJV), “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

What the Verse Means

While our bodies (outward man) grow old and suffer from diseases, our spiritual side (inward man) is renewed daily. Too often we only focus on the things we see in this present life. We need to also focus on the spiritual, that is the things that are not seen but given to us by God as a future promise. 

These are only seen with our “spiritual eyes.” It takes belief. A part of faith is believing that what God has promised he will undoubtedly bring to pass. I have confidence in God’s word and promises.

Pray Using Scripture

  • Heavenly Father help me to focus on you, our loved one’s final destination and never lose heart.
  • Lord Jesus, help me remember that while my loved one’s outer body is perishing, yet their inward body is being renewed daily.
  • God, I realize the chronic illness my loved one is facing won’t last forever but is working in them and me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
  • Lord God, help me to not look at my loved one’s circumstances which are temporary but to look on the things that are not now seen, but eternal.

Responding to God’s Hope

  1. Lord Jesus, help me have the courage to see my loved one’s situation from their point of view.
  2. God in Heaven, help me to support their choices.
  3. Father, help me to listen to my loved on.

Photo Source: Pixabay

This blog post is adapted from the forthcoming book, “Caregiving: A Biblical Alternative” by Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Ed.D.

Glory is Eternal

Posted in Blog, Caregiver, Caregiving, Devotions, Hope, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie Kepler, Memoir, PrayersLeave a comment

Learning to deal with a chronic illness includes understanding our troubles will not last forever. 

We need to remember our troubles are temporary. In Christ, our glory is eternal.

Bible Verse:

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (KJV), “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

What the Verse Means:

Today’s Bible passage tells us why we should never give up. We see that while our bodies are dying our spirit is renewed every day.

We learn that however significant our problems are in Christ they are small. The present troubles of our chronic illness will not last forever. They will actually produce a legacy for us in the glory that outweighs them and will last forever.

We shouldn’t look at our present troubles, but instead, we should turn our eyes upon Jesus. Our Earthly problems will pass, but the things we presently cannot see will last forever.

Pray Using the Scripture:

  • Heavenly Father, I pray that I do not lose heart as I deal with my chronic illness. 
  • Lord Jesus, I know that while my outer body is wasting away, my inner self is being renewed by you day by day.
  • God, I know this affliction is but for a moment in eternity’s clock and that you have greater things in store for me. 
  • Help me to not dwell on my present circumstances but to focus on the future I have in Jesus Christ.
  • I pray I would continue to have the godly attitude that only comes from you as I face life daily.

Photo Source: Pixabay

Today’s blog post is from the book “Thy Will Be Done: 60 Prayers for the Chronically Ill” by Jimmie Aaron Kepler. It is available in print and on Kindle for Amazon at Amazon Print or Amazon Kindle.

If you are an Amazon Kindle Unlimited member, the book is available to read for free in Kindle format. Over the next two months, I will publish each chapter as a blog post.

Do Not Lose Heart

Posted in Blog, Caregiver, Caregiving, Devotions, Hope, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie Kepler, Memoir, Prayers1 Comment

Part of learning to live with a chronic illness is not losing heart.

In today’s verse, God is pointing out we should view all earthly adversity in comparison with our future heavenly glory. When we do this, we should be strengthened to endure our human trials.

Today’s Bible Verse:

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (KJV), “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

What the Verse Means:

While our bodies (outward man) grow old and suffer from diseases, our spiritual side (inward man) is renewed daily. Too often we only focus on the things we see in this present life. We need to also focus on the spiritual, that is the things that are not seen but given to us by God as a future promise.

These are only seen with our “spiritual eyes.” It takes belief. A part of faith is believing that what God has promised he will undoubtedly bring to pass. I have confidence in God’s word and promises.

Personalized Prayer Using Today’s Scripture:

  • Heavenly Father, help me to focus on you and not lose heart.
  • Lord Jesus, help me remember that while my outer body is perishing, yet my inward body is being renewed daily.
  • God, I realize the chronic illness I am facing won’t last forever but is working in me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
  • Lord God, help me to not look at my circumstances which are temporary but to look on the things that are not now seen, but eternal.

Photo Source: Pixabay

Today’s blog post is from the book “Thy Will Be Done: 60 Prayers for the Chronically Ill” by Jimmie Aaron Kepler. It is available in print and on Kindle for Amazon at Amazon Print or Amazon Kindle.

If you are an Amazon Kindle Unlimited member, the book is available to read for free in Kindle format. Over the next two months, I will publish each chapter as a blog post.

If You’re a Caregiver, Don’t Lose Heart

Posted in Blog, Caregiving, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie Kepler, PrayersLeave a comment

Don’t Lose Heart

When caring for someone with a chronic illness do not lose heart. We know that illness and disease can and ultimately will destroy the body. While our loved one’s body ages and suffers from diseases, we need to renew our spiritual side daily.

In today’s verse, God simply is pointing out we should view all earthly adversity in comparison with our future heavenly glory. When we do this, we should be strengthened to endure our earthly trials.

Today’s Bible Verse

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (KJV), “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

What the Verse Means

While our bodies (outward man) grow old and suffer from diseases our spiritual side (inward man) is renewed daily. Too often we only focus on the things we see in this present life. We need to also focus on the spiritual, that is the things that are not seen but given to us by God as a future promise. these are only seen with our “spiritual eyes.” It takes faith. A part of faith is believing that what God has promised he will certainly bring to pass. I believe.

Praying Using the Verses

1. Heavenly Father, help us to focus on you and not lose heart.
2. Lord Jesus, while our outward body is perishing, yet our inward man or body is being renewed daily.
3. God, we realize the chronic illness we are facing won’t last forever but is working in us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
4. Lord God, help us to not look at our circumstances which are temporary but to look at the things that are not now seen, but eternal.

Remember, as a caregiver we have hope. The hope for the caregiver is Jesus Christ.

Photo Source: Pixaby

Troubles are Temporary

Posted in Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie Kepler, PrayersLeave a comment

1024px-lassen_meadow_caldera

Have you ever felt like your problems were too big to handle? Have you ever felt life is hopeless? Have you felt like you can’t deal another day with your [enter your illness here]? I know I have. We need to remember our troubles are temporary. In Christ, our glory is eternal. Today’s devotional is a reminder why we should never give up.

Today’s Bible Verse:

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (KJV), “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

What the verse means:

Today’s Bible passage tells us why we should never give up. We see that while our bodies are dying our spirit is renewed every day. We learn that however big our problems are in Christ they are small. The present troubles of our chronic illness will not last forever. They will actually produce a legacy for us in the glory that outweighs them and will last forever. We shouldn’t look at our present troubles but rather we should turn our eyes upon Jesus. Our Earthly troubles will pass but the things we presently cannot see will last forever.

Praying using the verses:

  1. Heavenly Father, we pray that we do not lose heart as we deal with our chronic illness.
  2. Lord Jesus, we know that while our outer body is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed by you days by day. God, we know this affliction is but for a moment in eternity’s clock and that you have greater things in store for us.
  3. God, we know this affliction is but for a moment in eternity’s clock and that you have greater things in store for us.
  4. Help us to not dwell on our present circumstances but to focus on the future have in Jesus Christ.
  5. Pray, we would continue to have the godly attitude that only comes from you as we face life day by day.

Picture Source: By Smack (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons, Page URL; File URL; Modifications by Jimmie Aaron Kepler

Glory is Eternal

Posted in PrayersLeave a comment

flower-2015218_640

We need to remember our troubles are temporary. In Christ, our glory is eternal.

Today’s Bible Verse:

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (KJV), “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

What the verse means:

Today’s Bible passage tells us why we should never give up. We see that while our bodies are dying our spirit is renewed every day. We learn that however big our problems are in Christ they are small. The present troubles of our chronic illness will not last forever. They will actually produce a legacy for us in the glory that outweighs them and will last forever. We shouldn’t look at our present troubles but rather we should turn our eyes upon Jesus. Our Earthly troubles will pass but the things we presently cannot see will last forever.

Praying using the verse:

  1. Heavenly Father, we pray that we do not lose heart as we deal with our chronic illness.
  2. Lord Jesus, we know that while our outer body is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed by you days by day.
  3. God, we know this affliction is but for a moment in eternity’s clock and that you have greater things in store for us.
  4. Help us to not dwell on our present circumstances but to focus on the future have in Jesus Christ.
  5. Pray, we would continue to have the godly attitude that only comes from you as we face life day by day.

Photo Source: Pixaby