November 6. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day 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, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. NIV
It is almost certain we all will experience tragedy in some form to ourselves or people we love. Slow or sudden death awaits us all. Jordon Peterson often observes that we may not be able to easily make things better but we can sure make them worse, even hell.
As Christians we can by faith and the Grace of God make the things better. My late wife, Lily, whom I gave mentioned was a prime example. In the last years of her life she took a particularly positive approach to hospitalization. She would pack up her daily meditation books, her Bible, Boombox and cassettes and say, “I wonder who I can share with this time?”
She was literally wasting away for 29 years while growing stronger in faith the whole time.
By contrast, when I was a hospice chaplain I had a patient with ALS. It was a very tragic situation. In truth he made life a living hell for his family and care givers.
Gratitude is the strategy that makes the difference; plus faith in the agape love of God in the midst of the suffering and also the reality of the peace that passes understanding that flows out to those who care for us.
Lily also had a near-death experience, down the white light tunnel to a meeting with Jesus. This gift of spiritual assurance of heaven was transformative for her.
How have you been strengthened by faith?
Have you had encounters with people like Lily?
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