For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal

God has blessed me with the best friend ever. Okay, we were being kind of silly in the picture. (I was being particularly nuts!) But really and honestly, Haley is such a wonderful friend. You may be wondering right now why I'm talking about Haley when the title for this post is "What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Well, it's because this year on my birthday card Haley wrote a verse that really sums up the Christian life. I was very touched by what she wrote on the card, but for the purpose of this post I won't put what she wrote but rather my own musings on this verse. The passage that she quoted is found in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed dayd 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 unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." I think that this verse is so meaningful for a Christian, especially one who is going through a rough time.
If you are feeling discouraged right now, please do not lose heart.
If you are feeling abandoned, please do not lose hope.
The Lord never promised that the Christian life would be easy, but He DOES promise that the troubles that we endure in this life will lead to glory that far outweighs them all. The verses preceding this passage, chapter 4:7-9 say, "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 no crushed; perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." Although we may feel hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted, or struck down, God will sustain us. And He is the only One Who sustains.

I remember a time I went through, a couple of years ago, when I felt very perplexed. I wasn't reading my Bible every day. I felt sad and discouraged. And discouragment often leads to desperation. And desperation- Jesus = more discouragment. You see my problem was not really what I thought it was, but rather that I did not depend more on Jesus during this time. He is the true Protector!
So I would encourage you if you are going through a hard time, don't do what I did. Instead of reading your Bible less, read it more. Instead of feeling discouraged and fearful, remember that we serve an awesome GOD who is far more powerful than discouragment and fear! And remember His promise in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness."

Now I know beyond a doubt that some of you reading this are going through a far worse time than I ever have. But all I can say is that the temporary struggle you may be enduring now is leading to an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

To God be the glory!!
With much love,
Rachel