2 Corinthians 4:16-18 By faith the things not seen are eternal and this present life is temporary.

Romans 8:24

For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 

Today is my birthday I am 75 years old how can that possibly be true? Faith is the knowing that the things of this life, while perishing daily, will one day be replaced with eternal life with our Creator. It is the substance of things known but not seen. Carla

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (NKJV)

Faith enables to make this right judgment of things. There are unseen things, as well as things that are seen. And there is this vast difference between them; unseen things are eternal, seen things but temporal, or temporary only. Let us then look off from the things which are seen; let us cease to seek for worldly advantages, or to fear present distresses. Let us give diligence to make our future happiness sure. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Believers should continue to grow in the knowledge of God and be transformed into Christ’s image in preparation for His return the Holy Spirit does this work in believers. Hardships are temporary and easier to bear when put in the perspective of eternity. Such hardships do not merit glory; rather, God uses them to display His strength in weakness. Paul does not focus on his afflictions. Instead, he reflects on God’s promises and the hope of resurrection in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20; 4:14). Faithlife Study Bible

Paul concluded that the Corinthians should not lose heart, because God would raise them up with Jesus (verse 14). Here is a great principle. A proper focus on our glorious future with Christ will empower us to endure any kind of trouble. The outward man is the physical body, called in this section “the earthen vessel” (verse 7), “the body” (verse 10), “mortal flesh” (verse 11), “earthly house” (5:1), and “tent” (5:1). Working means “producing,” or “accomplishing.” Afflictions produce glory. But the glory is out of proportion to the affliction: trials are light and temporary compared to the eternal glory we will receive (Mark 10:30). Paul’s focus on the future enabled him to properly assess problems and see how small they were compared to their eternal results.

Look means “to keep one’s eye on,” “to consider,” or “to contemplate.” The noun form of this verb means “goal”. In order not to lose heart, the believer needs to shift his or her focus from that which is seen to that which is not seen, from temporary problems to the glorious eternal rewards he or she will receive (verse 17). The NKJV Study Bible

Romans 7:22

For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 

Romans 8:18

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 

2 Corinthians 5:7

For we walk by faith, not by sight. 

Isaiah 40:29–31

He gives power to the weak,

And to those who have no might He increases strength.

Even the youths shall faint and be weary,

And the young men shall utterly fall…

Yesterday we were invited to plant a tree.

Plant a tree, because compassion still matters.

Plant a tree, because truth still matters.

Plant a tree, because the future—even an uncertain future—is still worthy of care.

And I received this email from Stephen. “Terry, Thank you! I needed the reminder of what I do, and to hear it from somebody. So, I plant trees, by planting seeds in people’s hearts. Seeds of Hope, seeds of life, seeds of compassion, seeds of forgiveness. Especially seeds that ‘they are enough’, and they don’t have to earn love.”

Yes. And Amen. Planting seeds that tell us, “We still care.” We are still invested. Tending life—and the welfare of the place where you live—matters. With the gift of grace, there is no check list, save allowing the healing places to work their magic. If I’m only focused only on the payoff (destination), I miss the gifts on the journey. Yes, I miss the “gift of enough”. 

My friends: Let us not forget: Choosing to live from a soft heart in a cruel world is courageous.

Choosing softness is choosing hope, over cynicism.

Choosing connection, over isolation.

Choosing being fully alive, over merely surviving. Sabbath Moments