Chapter 1

WE NEED NOT LOSE HEART DESPITE…

IS IT POSSIBLE NOT TO LOSE HEART?

Following the Lord Jesus is not without cost and sacrifice.
For some dear ones, ill-health, emotional illness or personal
struggles may be their lot throughout their pilgrimage on earth
even though they may sincerely cry out in prayer to God for
release.

When we are in such a plight in our Christian walk and
others seek to encourage us, we may feel that they do not quite
understand us and perhaps they cannot identify with us as they
have not gone through similar difficulties.

The famous Christian evangelist and preacher Charles
Spurgeon revealed the following in a sermon: “I am the subject
of depression of spirit so fearful that I hope none of you ever
get to such extremes of wretchedness as I go to”. It seems that
discouragement is no respecter of persons whatever the spiritual
status. Can it be possible for believers in such situations not to
lose heart and not to feel like giving up?

In 2 Corinthians, the apostle Paul penned the following:
“We are afflicted in every way, but not
crushed, perplexed but not despairing, persecuted
but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed.”
2 Corinthians 4:8-9

“…but in everything commending ourselves
as servants of God in much endurance, in
afflictions, in hardships, in distress, in beatings, in
imprisonment, in tumults, in labors, in
sleeplessness, in hunger….”
2 Corinthians 6: 4-5

In 2 Corinthians 1: 8, Paul revealed that he himself was
“burdened excessively beyond his strength and despaired even
of life”.

The apostle Paul not only had to endure severe physical
hardship; he also had to encounter false workers, spiritual
pressure from the evil one as well as anguish and pain arising
from false accusations from those whom he loved and cared
for greatly. In addition, Paul was concerned for his co-workers,
the various churches of God and the preservation of the purity
of the gospel.

Not many of us can claim to have gone through even a
fraction of what Paul went through. But perhaps what is most
astounding is that in the midst of undergoing all these pain,
afflictions and struggles, including despairing of life itself, Paul
wrote:
“Therefore, since we have this ministry, as
we received mercy, we do not lose heart...”
2 Corinthians 4: 1

“Therefore, we do not lose heart, for though
the outer man is decaying, our inner man is being
renewed day by day.”
2 Corinthians 4: 16

Paul shared that there would be distresses, struggles,
afflictions and even perplexity in faithful Christian service.
However, what came through very distinctly at the same time
is that even in the midst of all these difficulties, the believers
need not lose heart but they can be of good courage. Yes, it is
definitely possible not to be discouraged despite perplexing
and difficult circumstances in Christian living and ministry!

The use of the word ‘Therefore’ in 2 Corinthians 4: 1
and 2 Corinthians 4: 16 help us to realise the reasons why we
need not lose heart and they were written in the preceding
verses. Paul used two words to crystallize the reasons why we
do not lose heart. The words are ‘hope’ and ‘glory’. We shall
examine them more closely in the next chapter.

Sufferings, pain and difficulties can cause us to be bitter,
discouraged and angry against God. They can lead us to wallow
in self-pity and to sink into passivity, indifference, apathy and
unbelief. This is exactly what the evil one desires for God’s
people.

God’s message to us is that we need not lose heart; we
can be bold and courageous even in the midst of very trying
circumstances. It is not as if the pain is not real; the tears shed
are genuine tears and the hardship and distresses are not
imaginary. “Through many tribulations we must enter the
kingdom of God.” (Acts 14: 22(b))

Despite the pain, the tears, the agony and even the
shedding of blood, we can be of good courage because of the
‘hope’ and ‘glory’ we have in Christ Jesus our Lord.