Finding Renewed Hope: Looking Beyond the Seen

Looking Beyond What We Can See

Have you ever felt discouraged or disheartened by the challenges and difficulties you face in life? Maybe you're dealing with physical ailments, aging, or the struggles of daily life. It's easy to lose heart and feel overwhelmed by these things. But the apostle Paul offers us a different perspective, one that can help us find renewed courage and hope even in the midst of adversity.

In 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Paul writes, "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."

Paul acknowledges the reality of our physical struggles and the limitations that come with aging. He recognizes that our bodies may weaken, our senses may diminish, and our strength may falter. These challenges can certainly threaten our faith and joy. But Paul doesn't allow himself to lose heart. Why? Because he understands that while our outer self may be wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

But how is this possible? How can we find renewal and strength in the midst of our physical limitations and difficulties? Paul reveals the key: by looking at what we cannot see. He encourages us to focus not on the things that are seen, which are transient and temporary, but on the things that are unseen, which are eternal.

What does it mean to look at the unseen? It means fixing our gaze on the invisible, objective truth that we find in the gospel. It means strengthening our hearts and renewing our courage by immersing ourselves in the testimony of those who saw Christ face to face.

In 2 Corinthians 5:7, Paul says, "We walk by faith, not by sight." This doesn't mean blindly leaping into the unknown without any evidence. Instead, it means recognizing that the most precious and important realities in the world are beyond our physical senses. We can't see them with our eyes, but we can perceive them with the eyes of our heart.

Paul reminds us that God has shone in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). This light of knowledge, this understanding of who God is and what He has done for us through Christ, is what we need to keep seeing with the eyes of our hearts. It is this unseen reality that can sustain us and give us hope, even in the midst of our struggles.

So how do we strengthen our faith and keep our gaze fixed on the unseen? We do so by continuously immersing ourselves in the Word of God, by meditating on His promises, and by seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We need to remind ourselves of the truth of the gospel, of the love and grace that God has shown us through Jesus Christ.

As we do this, we will find that our inner self is being renewed day by day. Our faith will grow stronger, our joy will deepen, and our courage will be restored. We will be able to face the challenges of life with confidence, knowing that the difficulties we experience now are temporary and light compared to the eternal weight of glory that awaits us.

In addition to looking at the unseen, we can also find encouragement and inspiration in the stories and testimonies of those who have gone before us. The Bible is filled with examples of men and women who faced incredible trials and hardships, yet remained steadfast in their faith. Their stories remind us that we are not alone in our struggles, and that God is faithful to sustain us and bring us through every difficulty.

One such example is the story of Job. Despite losing everything he had, his wealth, his health, and even his family, Job refused to curse God and lose hope. In the midst of his suffering, he declared, "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him" (Job 13:15). Job looked beyond his present circumstances and held onto his faith in the unseen and eternal God.

Another example is the apostle Paul himself. Throughout his ministry, Paul faced numerous hardships, including beatings, imprisonments, and persecution. Yet he remained steadfast in his faith and continued to proclaim the gospel with boldness. In his letter to the Philippians, he writes, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). Paul understood that the trials he faced were preparing for him an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.

As we reflect on these examples and many others throughout the Bible, we are reminded that our present struggles are not in vain. They are part of a bigger story, a story of God's redemptive plan for humanity. They are preparing us for the glory that awaits us in eternity.

So, let us not lose heart. Let us fix our gaze on the unseen, on the eternal truths of the gospel. Let us strengthen our faith by immersing ourselves in the Word of God and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit. And let us find encouragement and inspiration in the stories and testimonies of those who have gone before us.

Remember, the challenges and difficulties we face in this life are temporary and light compared to the eternal weight of glory that awaits us. So, let us press on, knowing that our inner self is being renewed day by day, and that our ultimate hope and joy lie in the unseen and eternal God.