As believers in Christ, we can often face difficult circumstances that threaten to overwhelm us. In 2 Corinthians 4:16, the apostle Paul encourages us to “not lose heart” even when going through trials. This verse reads: “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” How can we put this verse into practice and not lose heart as followers of Jesus?
Remember that our suffering is temporary
Paul contrasts our “outer” and “inner” selves in this verse. Our outer self refers to our physical bodies which decay over time. This outer self is “wasting away.” But our inner self speaks to our spiritual condition. And our inner self can be “renewed day by day” regardless of what happens to our bodies. So we must remember that any suffering we face physically is only temporary. Our spirits are being made new in Christ on a daily basis, and one day we will receive perfect resurrection bodies that will never waste away (1 Corinthians 15:42-44). This eternal perspective helps us not lose heart.
Focus on eternal rewards
As believers, we can set our minds on the eternal rewards promised to us rather than temporary earthly troubles. Jesus tells us to “store up treasures in heaven” where nothing can destroy them (Matthew 6:19-21). Paul says we can look forward to an “eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” in the life to come (2 Corinthians 4:17). When we struggle, focusing on Christ’s promises gives us strength to persevere. The trials we face now are “light and momentary” compared to the infinite joy in eternity with Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:17). Keeping our eyes on these eternal rewards helps us not lose heart.
Rely on the inner strengthening of the Holy Spirit
We do not face trials alone as believers. Paul tells us a few verses earlier that “God…through Christ has given us the ministry of reconciliation…and has committed to us the message of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). God has given us His very Spirit to strengthen us in the midst of suffering. Ephesians 3:16 tells us the Holy Spirit strengthens our inner being with power. When we feel exhausted, the Spirit renews us to endure. So we must rely on the inner strengthening of the Holy Spirit who lives inside every believer. His empowering allows us to not lose heart.
Remember Christ’s suffering on our behalf
When we face trials as believers, we can be encouraged by remembering what Christ suffered for us. The innocent Son of God was mocked, beaten, and crucified to pay for our sins (Mark 15:15-39). Yet He endured willingly out of love for us. The author of Hebrews tells us to consider Jesus who endured the cross so that we would not “grow weary or fainthearted” (Hebrews 12:3). As believers, we suffer on a small scale compared to the agony Christ endured on our behalf. Remembering His sacrifice motivates us to press on and not lose heart.
Trust God’s perfect timing and sovereignty
As believers, we can trust that God has perfect timing over our circumstances. We see this through the life of Joseph in the Old Testament. After being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph had to wait years before God exalted him to second-in-command over Egypt (Genesis 37-50). And Joseph later told his brothers that what they intended for evil, God intended for good (Genesis 50:20). In the same way, we can trust that God works through every circumstance believers face for our eventual good, even if we cannot see it at the time (Romans 8:28). God’s timing is perfect. So we can have peace and not lose heart.
Take hope in the resurrection
Ultimately as believers, we can have hope and not lose heart because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. After Christ’s torturous suffering on the cross, God miraculously raised Him from the dead on the third day (Luke 24:6-7). And His resurrection can encourage us through any darkness or pain we face. 1 Peter 1:3 says God has given us “new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” Because Christ rose, we know suffering and death do not have the final say over our lives. This living hope gives us strength to endure any hardship without losing heart.
Find support in Christian community
We do not have to go through trials alone as believers. God designed Christian community to strengthen and support us through suffering. Galatians 6:2 tells us to carry each other’s burdens. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 explains the value of not being alone in hard times. Whether through a small group, church body, or Christian friends, we can find help in community. Sharing our struggles and praying for each other makes the burden feel lighter. The support of other believers helps us persevere without losing heart.
Practice thanksgiving and rejoicing
One surprising way to not lose heart during suffering is to practice thanksgiving and rejoicing. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 tells us to “rejoice always.” James 1:2 says to “count it all joy when you face trials of many kinds.” When we thank God and praise Him even in the storm, it focuses our mind on His faithfulness rather than our difficulty. Philippians 4:6-7 explains the peace that comes when we bring our requests to God “with thanksgiving.” Lifting grateful prayers helps us endure without losing heart.
Keep an eternal perspective
As believers, we can have an eternal perspective that helps us not lose heart amid earthly troubles. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:18 that we should fix our eyes “not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.” The trials we face now are light compared to the “eternal glory” awaiting us in eternity (2 Corinthians 4:17). This life is short compared to forever with Jesus. When we suffer, looking to heaven enables us to have joy and hope. Keeping an eternal mindset empowers us to not lose heart.
Remember the blessings we still have
Even in seasons of hardship, there are always blessings for believers to count and be thankful for. Deuteronomy 8:10 warns against forgetting God’s blessings when life gets hard. Despite his suffering, Job was able to bless the name of the Lord (Job 1:20-22). Nehemiah encouraged grieving Israelites to rejoice over God’s goodness to them, even in exile (Nehemiah 8:10). When we focus on the blessings we still have – salvation in Christ, God’s presence, family, church, provision – it keeps our hearts full of gratitude. This guards against losing heart.
Look back and remember God’s faithfulness
Remembering God’s faithfulness in the past can encourage us when facing trials in the present. The psalmist frequently recounted God’s goodness and provision for Israel while wandering the wilderness (Psalm 105, Psalm 106, Psalm 135, Psalm 136). When we start to lose heart, looking back at God’s proven faithfulness in Scripture and in our lives fills us with hope for the future. Just as God was faithful before, He promises to be faithful again. Our faith is strengthened when we remember His constant provision.
Cling to God’s promises in Scripture
Believers can find strength to endure when we cling to God’s many promises for us in Scripture. Promises about God’s constant presence (Matthew 28:20), the Holy Spirit’s help (John 14:16), assurance of salvation (John 10:28), power over sin (1 John 1:9), and countless others offer comfort amid trials. Meditating on these promises renews our hope in God’s goodness. Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, is filled with the psalmist proclaiming God’s Word to persevere through suffering. Hidden in God’s Word are endless promises to nourish our hearts when discouraged.
Spend time worshipping God
One of the best ways for believers to guard against losing heart is through worship. Worship focuses our minds on God’s greatness rather than our troubles. The book of Psalms was written to help Israelites worship God through seasons of hardship and suffering. Lifting our eyes to worship the Almighty Creator strengthens our hearts when trials come. 2 Chronicles 20 records King Jehoshaphat and his army singing praises to God as they faced an overwhelming enemy. As we worship God for who He is, we find power to persevere.
In summary, 2 Corinthians 4:16 urges believers to not lose heart in the midst of trials and suffering. As followers of Jesus, we can be encouraged through remembering Christ’s sacrifice for us, God’s eternal perspective, the Holy Spirit’s empowering presence within us, trusting in God’s sovereignty, finding support from Christian community, practicing thanksgiving and rejoicing, meditating on God’s Word, looking back at His faithfulness, and worshipping Him. He gives us overwhelming strength to endure any circumstance without losing heart when we rely fully on Him.