“For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people, it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:15-16
The other day as I was preparing for today’s post, I noticed that Paul repeats the phrase “we do not lose heart…” two different times in 2 Corinthians Chapter 4.
What a powerful reminder that we all need to hear these days: do not lose heart!
Are the times in which we are living troubling, disheartening, and concerning? Sure they are!
But so were the times in which Paul lived.
Here are a few glimpses into the culture and climate in which Paul lived, all taken from this one chapter:
Vs 2 – We renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly…
Vs 4 – The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Vs 8-9 – We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
Vs 17 – For our light and momentary troubles…
Sound a little familiar?
I know a few of you are feeling pretty hard pressed these days. You’re not alone. Paul had those same feelings at times.
Yet in the midst of all of his struggles and trials, Paul tells us not to lose heart!
We must cling to this truth; God is ALWAYS at work!
So let’s look at today’s verses a little closer and see how gratitude plays an important part in helping us not lose heart when we feel our world around us is crumbling.
God is always working in our lives for our benefit. That doesn’t mean our lives will be easy. Nor will all our prayers be answered the way that we want. But what we do know is we serve a good and loving Father who graciously extends grace upon grace on our behalf.
And as His grace increases to more and more people, so does gratitude.
Because how can you not be grateful when you experience His amazing grace?!
As our awareness increases so does our gratitude, and as our gratitude for what Jesus has done for us increases, our desire to live lives that bring glory to His name – rather than our own – increases too.
When we begin to understand God’s amazing grace… to really embrace His grace, His love, His forgiveness… it changes us from the inside out.
It fixes our vision.
We see our lives differently, and our focus becomes clearer.
No longer do we focus our eyes on us, our successes, our failures, our pain, our happiness…
Once we embrace gratitude in our lives, our lives begin to focus on Jesus.
The more grace, the more gratitude.
The more gratitude, the more glory to God.
God has amazing plans for our lives, but our lives are not to bring us glory, but to glorify the One who made us… our Creator, Redeemer and good, good Father.
So do not lose heart, sweet friend. In today’s changing world now is the time to shine for Jesus!
He purposefully created you for this time in history. Don’t shrink back! Embrace His grace and contrary to the world around us, choose to live your life in gratitude. TOGETHER, let’s glorify our Lord by living lives focused on Him!
Make no mistake, God is moving powerfully. Do not lose heart!
In the midst of the trial you are going through right now, you have the amazing opportunity to show those around you God’s power at work in your life!
When someone slanders you, betrays you, or opposes you, remember this truth: no one can destroy what God has accomplished through you.
Sweet friends, we are only here for a short time. Let’s focus our lives on what’s really important.
As God’s grace increases in our lives, so may our gratitude. And as our gratitude increases, so may the ways we bring glory to God through our lives.
More of you, Jesus, and less of me!
Love God Greatly!
Angela what a beautiful, uplifting and such an encouraging post!! So needed with everything going on in todays world, and yet, to look back into Paul’s time…just makes you wonder why we don’t learn from our mistakes, but continually make the same ones!! This blessed my heart and my day today!! <3
Ohhh Deanna, you are the sweetest and I love knowing you were encouraged…does my heart good. You’re always the one who is being the encourager so I’m glad to be able to encourage you today in return!:)
I agree with Deanna! We really have no reason to whine when we look back at all that generation dealt with…and all without a cell phone! Since man never changes, that may be the reason the Word never changes or Jesus never changes, because He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever! The human race doesn’t change until they have the power of the Living God in their lives! Opening our hearts and eyes to TRUTH is the only way for a person to change! As I told one of our ladies, I am so thankful for the laser focus of our LGG studies! We just spent eight weeks on forgiveness and all of its ramifications! Now we are doing two weeks on thanksgiving! All studies are pointed at a focus that each of us needs to strengthen and build us up in the Christian faith, taking us as we are at the beginning of each study and allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work to change us, to drive home the principle laid before us, and then to actually USE that principle in our daily lives! As Angela says above, “Let’s focus our lives on what’s really important.” to which I would say THANK YOU AND AMEN!! ?❤️
Amen!
Beautifully put, Pat! I agree that the LGG studies take us as we are, just like God takes our faith wherever it is. It is such a blessing each time we start a new study to see where God is going to take us if we will just be still and listen to His voice!
Ahhh Pat, thank you for your kind words today…such a blessing to read as I prepare for our next study. Thank you for taking the time and sharing them with us today!:)
Such an uplifting post, Angela! Your words challenge me…”In the midst of the trial you are going through right now, you have the amazing opportunity to show those around you God’s power at work in your life!”
The challenge is to get outside of myself. I need to stop looking inward to what is wrong with me (weight, emotions, housekeeping skills, etc.) and start focusing on God and what He wants me to do with my life! How can I bring glory to God today? Who can I reach today by sharing God’s love and grace?
Ohhh friend, I so understand!!! I think part of cultivating a life of gratitude is learning to keep our eyes off ourselves and onto Christ. When I keep my focus on me, I see all my shortcomings, flaws and fail to rejoice in the amazing blessings God has given to me. Just know, you’re not alone!:)
“All this is for your sakes, so that as grace flows out to more and more people, it may cause thanksgiving to overflow and bring glory to God.”
2 Corinthians (2 Co) 4:15 CJB
ALL THINGS. Paul is putting his faith in the unseen. What he saw was extreme difficulty and physical pain. What he knew in his heart was the eternal lovingkindness and grace of God. He realized that by lifting his perspective off of the physical world and looking beyond with his heart vision that his inner self was filled with Gods love. I have learned to feel this love and be filled. Not perfectly but I persevere with intention. In my affliction and struggles I have seen Gods hand in my life. When I live in the posture of thanksgiving I have joy. Gods patience with me makes me laugh. It’s taken me a long time to finally realize that letting go of control brings more stability. Not in the outer world but in the steadiness of my soul. And it is well. Even in the struggle. I take up the sword and continue to fight knowing that there will be a happily ever after in the Kingdom with Jesus. I give thanks in the affliction and in the peace. I will stay in the hunt for beauty and share it with others. I want to help spread grace.
Lord I pray that you will shine your love through me. Help me to stand firm in thanksgiving and show kindness to the people in my world. Give me a steady heart today. Give me grace when I need it and help me extend grace to others. Thank you Jesus. Amen.
“So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 MSG
Jennifer, what a beautiful post! Thank you SO much for opening your heart and sharing today. God has a plan for each of us, and surrendering control and letting Him do His work in our lives, focusing on the eternal and not the present, and learning from life’s lessons will truly bring grace, gratitude and all glory to Him!
I really enjoyed this blog post today…well they are all really good, but this one really spoke to me. Thank you Angela for these words you have shared with us. Very uplifting and timely. Bless you.
Ohhh Shannan….don’t we all just need this remember from time to time?!!! 🙂 I’m so glad it encouraged you as much as it did me when I read “do not lose heart…” Just love that reminder!!!:) Thanks so much for joining us, friend!:)
Thank you for this beautiful reminder Angela! After coming home from the ER last night with a sick baby boy I so needed to hear these words. In all circumstances we need to give God the glory and thanks! Sooooo looking forward to the Christmas Study! Thank you Lord for these women and how they volunteer their time to share your Gospel and fellowship with other women! To God be the glory!
Thank you lovely ladies for the uplifting and encouraging thoughts on today’s study. I accidentally stumbled on your site and felt blessed to read your views. Keep up d good work. To God be the Glory. Amen.