There are times when we are downhearted. There are days that are treacherous and hard to bear. I have a friend of many years who suffers most every day with chronic, unceasing physical pain. The physical pain exacerbates her emotional and spiritual pain. Of course, she has many questions about God and faith, about how God helps those with great need, or even if God helps at all.
My ordination and my years of pastoral care experience does not mean that I have had ready answers for her. Sometimes any answers I have to give are woefully inadequate. So I have searched my own heart and explored my own faith. And I Reach the same conclusion every time. For me, the comfort is tucked in these scripture verses in the fourth chapter of 2 Corinthians.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
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.
Most importantly for me is to not lose heart and to believe that in this earthen vessel dwells the treasure of faith.
God of the Sparrow 🌱 By Kathy Manis Findley 