II Corinthians I
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. (II Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV)
Heart
I keep losing things. Or so it seems. I lost my keys, and found them in an unexpected, albeit logical place. I lost an attachment for my computer that lets me access the internet, but found it under a chair. I lost my cordless drill, yet there It was, right where I had left it. I’ve lost my checkbook, still I expect it will turn up.
Physical things get lost, and sometimes found.
But Paul points out that we do NOT lose heart. This is not a command, or a hope, or a wish. He states it as a fact.
We do not lose heart.
It does seem like it sometimes, doesn’t it? We grow discouraged at the happenings in the world. We fear instead of trust, doubt instead of hope, and worry instead of relax in Christ.
But Christians do not lose heart, because that internal contentment, peace, and confidence that Christians have is not ours to lose.
Heart comes from Jesus. He is not in our pocket, so we can not lose Him. While real, He is not physically present in our reality, yet… so we can not lose Him. He is not present simply because we sense Him… but rather we sense Him at times because He is present… so we can not lose Him.
I admit that I do not notice Him at dark times. But I do not lose heart, because noticed or not, He is here.
I admit that I do not turn to Him is steadily as I can during times of insecurity. But I do not lose heart, because whether I am focused on Him or not, He is here.
I admit that my fears IN the scenes seem bigger than He seems behind the scenes. But I do not lose heart because that comparison is a problem of my perspective, not a problem if His absence. Because He is here.
So we do not lose heart.