This Impossible Thing

 

So 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.

          2 Corinthians 4. 16-18

(No affliction at the time

 seems light and momentary.

But what defeats us

   are not the circumstances,

         but losing heart.

This impossible thing,

this hard situation,

this rocky path,

nor this heavy weight

  are not random at all,

but matter for all eternity,

    serving and training us

to be strengthened,

          prepared,

          and used by God

       in incredible ways.

It is just part of

    His training plan

as He builds His strength in us.

He is already redeeming.

He is multiplying

    with really big numbers,

far beyond what is seen

   or known in present tense.

So do not lose heart.)

O LORD,

Use our struggles

   to make us stronger in You.

Train us in ways

  that we may follow You

  into Your purposes.

Please help us

not to be defeated, distracted,

    or discouraged,

but to run with You

         right through it

and strengthen others

   along the way.