“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.” (2 Corinthians 4:16–18)
I’m trying. This is a hard lesson. My low blood pressure
is a literal loss of my literal heart. That is, he outer self (this body) feels
wasted when my heart is not pumping as it should. Putting my focus on eternal
things is helpful but not easy! I often feel a pity-party coming on.
It would be great if I could interpret the New Testament use
of “heart” in a literal sense. If it meant the pumper of blood, then many
verses could be claimed as promises for physical healing. However, this is
contrary to what the above verses say. Aging happens to everyone. The ‘outer
self’ or material part that can be seen does fade and will eventually die and
go to the grave. Only the inner person, the immaterial part, will survive.
It is easy to say that this body is like the box the
diamond came in, the wrapping on a gift. Eventually, God will give me a new
body, but I will not have it in this life. The most I can hope for is strength
for each day. I know He could fix my physical issues in the sense of a miracle
where all the parts are made new and work properly yet this does not seem to be
His will. Instead, He is using this to show me another side of His power —
strength in weakness.
A good attitude helps, and according to the Bible, a good attitude
is having my mind more focused on the life to come and — while I am here — focused
on the Lord and His goodness with heartfelt thanksgiving.
It helps to also make a thankful list: Jesus, salvation,
the Body of Christ, the power of prayer, love, joy, peace, all spiritual fruit
and blessings, my husband and family, a peaceful place to live, a nice home,
abundance, trees, flowers, mountains, trees, all of creation, food to eat,
things to do, even yesterday’s joy of finishing (nearly) a quilt I’ve been
working on for at least two years. This does not cover it, but it does lift my
heart to God — and some of those things are eternal rather than transient.
This life is good, but the next life will have none of the
problems. No wars and conflict, no accidents and crime, no sickness and sorrow,
no heavy burdens to pray for, no dirt and laundry, no trying to figure out what
to cook for supper, no bad news, no sin, no sin — and all kinds of ‘time’ to be
thankful and praise God.
^^^^^^^^^
Jesus, this wandering mind is being trained to stop
flitting all over the place and rest on You and in You. Thank You for Your
persistence and for the delightful way You give joy to those who learn this
lesson. You keep me in perfect peace when
my mind is stayed on You, because I trust in You. (Isaiah 26:3)
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