Paul wasn’t writing this from a comfortable spot with a latte in hand. He had been beaten, shipwrecked, thrown in prison, and left for dead. And yet, he had the audacity to say, “We do not lose heart.” Why? Because he had figured something out: what’s happening right now isn’t the whole story. The pain is real. The struggle is exhausting. But compared to the glory that’s coming? It’s light. It’s momentary. It won’t last forever.
Devotional
Let’s be honest. Sometimes life just feels like too much. The weight of stress, disappointment, and exhaustion piles up, and quitting sounds like a solid option. Paul knew that feeling. But he also knew something we tend to forget—our struggles are temporary, but God’s promises are eternal.
That doesn’t mean the pain isn’t real. It just means it’s not final. Paul wasn’t dismissing hardship—he was putting it in perspective. This world is loud. It screams about everything that’s wrong, everything that’s unfair, everything that hurts. But faith whispers something different: This isn’t all there is.
The hard days? They don’t get the final word. The things we can see—problems, pain, frustration—they’re all fading. But the unseen things? The real things? Hope. Redemption. The eternal weight of God’s glory? That lasts forever.
So, what do we do? We stop letting today’s struggle define tomorrow’s promise. We keep going. We fix our eyes on what matters. Because even when life feels like it’s falling apart, God is still building something greater than we can see.
Action
What’s been weighing you down lately? Write it down. Name it. Then, beside it, write this truth: This is temporary. God’s glory is forever. Let that sink in. Choose to look through your circumstances, not just at them.
Prayer
Lord, some days I feel like giving up. The weight of life feels too heavy. But remind me that this is temporary. That Your promises are bigger than my problems. Help me to see beyond what’s in front of me and to hold onto what lasts forever. Strengthen me when I’m weak, and keep my eyes fixed on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thought for the Day
What you’re going through is real—but it’s not forever. Keep your eyes on what is.
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