Inspirational Gospel messages with a railway theme

Have you ever wondered, “How can I know if God is really there?”

Do not lose heart

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.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth encouraging them not to lose heart, despite a sense of “wasting away.” The last few years have been tough for everyone, and when we go through tough times and trouble we may feel this “wasting away” process more intensely. 

Is it possible for us not to lose heart, but to look forward with positivity? For many, the Covid-19 pandemic can’t be referred to as a “light momentary affliction”.  Indeed, it’s been the hardest thing many have ever faced, and for some, the battle drags on with what has been called ‘Long Covid’, for others, the loss of loved ones has been unbearable. Now we have the war in Ukraine and the fear that this brings for the world. 

So what is this eternal glory that outweighs our troubles? It refers to the eternal heavenly-weighted rewards that are beyond all comprehension and comparison. Paul was confident that we could all experience the eternal rewards of glory in the new heavens and new earth. He often prayed for Christians to keep their eyes on the hope of heaven:

‘I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people’. (Ephesians 1:18)

Paul could say “do not lose heart” because he believed that even the most unbearable trials of this life are minor when compared to the glory of our eternal inheritance. 

Are you disheartened today? No one is immune to discouragement. We all lose heart now and then. Maybe your outer self is wasting away.  If you have felt that you have experienced or are still experiencing desperately hard times, let your heart come alive with hope and faith to perceive what cannot be seen, and to grasp hold of the eternal hope.

If you would like to know more about the eternal hope, I would love to send you free of charge a New Testament and Psalms. Railway Mission will not share your details or contact you again unless you ask us to add you to our mailing list.

Write to: Liam Johnston, Railway Mission, Rugby Railway Station, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV 21 3LA