A Mother’s Musings On

II Corinthians 4:16:-18

By: Bethany Plett

16. Therefore we do not lose heart…

Let us not allow ourselves to get so entangled with the affairs of this life that we lose enthusiasm and the joy in our journey becomes clouded. Let our stacks of dirty dishes and mountains of laundry and endless smudges on windows and floors be the stepping stones that take us to higher grounds of patience and perseverance for Christ. Let us not become discouraged or complacent in our striving for holiness, lest our spirits grow weary to the point of exhaustion, and it looks too daunting to keep pressing toward the mark of our high calling in Christ Jesus.

…Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Though we may feel loathsome at bedtime from the very thought of rising in the morning to another toilsome day, may we not grow weary in well-doing and caring for those entrusted to us by our Father in heaven. May we take time to sit at the feet of Jesus and refresh our inner spirit with the out-pouring of the peace of Christ through His Word, so that our strength is daily renewed, and His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

17. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

Our momentary troubles may seem like stumbling blocks to our already faltering footsteps, but let us view them as Christ views them, a working within us to bring forth exceeding rich eternal rewards if we are faithful. We must be willing to view our difficulties, sufferings, and disappointments as loving gifts from the Father to His child, and allow them to shape us more into the image of Christ. We must seek to gratefully walk in the path Christ has set for us. For if He sees the will to walk is really there, He will be pleased even with our stumbles.

18. While we do not look 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.

It is wise for us to refrain from comparison and covetousness, lest we base our successes on the things which are seen, and not on the beauty of a meek and quiet spirit that is fully dependant on God. We must nourish our souls, so that we may be more refreshed and ready to serve our families with a love from deep within, so they too may experience the joy and peace that flows from a life of service for Christ. Let us learn to soar above our circumstances, not relying on them for our happiness or gain, but rather strive for a joy that stems from a relationship with Christ. This will result in a peace that is lasting and a hope that is eternal.