No Matter What the Storm

I had been circling the words of 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 for days. Returning to them. Re-reading them. Digging into them. Unable to shake them.

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.

The next morning, I revisited them once again... this time turning to footnotes, cross references, and William MacDonald's explanatory notes. Thankful to find such wisdom and comfort in the words.

In these three verses, Paul is describing the process of dying and renewing. The outer man—the shell, the body—is decaying. What causes it to decay? In the context, it's the trials of life—the perplexities, the afflictions, the persecutions, the solitude. The outer man is decaying through the trials of life, while the inner man is being strengthened through the same trials.

And while this is happening, we do not lose heart. How? Although outwardly we are wasting away because of the hardships we're subjected to, inwardly and every day we are being renewed because of the flame of resurrection life burning within.

What about our "light and momentary troubles"? They sure don't feel that way. But seen from the perspective of eternity, the difficulties diminish in importance. These troubles are achieving glory for us. And by comparison, this eternal glory is far greater than the all the suffering we may face in this life.

I followed the cross reference over to Romans 8:17-18:

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Reading this, it struck me that the glory will be revealed IN us. Not just to us, but in us. People will look at us and say "There’s fruit here that I can’t explain any other way than connection and sharing in Christ's suffering, so maybe I’m looking at a son or a daughter of God." We'll truly reflect Jesus to others.

Piper wrote, "the pathway to your glory beyond this life is suffering. And it's worth it. It is so crucial that you have a head and a heart that can embrace this teaching, because you will bail on Christianity in the moment of your suffering if you don’t."

Navigating back to 2 Corinthians 4:18, I wanted to look further into "what is seen" and "what is unseen". The experiences and circumstances of this present life are seen, but they are temporary and fleeting. To fix our eyes on them would cause us to lose heart. By contrast the unseen realities, which are no less real for being invisible, are eternal and imperishable. So by looking up and away from the impermanent appearance of this present world scene, we do not lose heart.

This is faith in action! As Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. (Hebrews 11:7)

When the flood came, God's word was proved to be true, Noah's faith was vindicated, and the world's unbelief was judged. Noah expressed complete trust in God and His word, even when it related to "things not yet seen", therefore he fits the description of God's righteous ones who live by faith.

He (Moses) regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:26-27)

For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Talk about a perspective shift.

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. (Romans 8:24-25)

Something about the study of these passages made the introduction of "To Be Honest" that much more powerful. Something about where we fix our eyes in the storm of our sufferings. Where does our faith go when we can't see or hear or feel God?

I knew I could answer this question for myself: My eyes look down and around instead of up. Just like Peter's as he walked on water. But this song gave me the chance to be honest about that and then to remind my soul to "look up!"

When the chaos of this world
Is too much to bear
And the valley feels like home
I know You call me out
To walk in faith
But there’s something about this storm

To be honest I don't feel like singing
To be honest I don't hear Your voice
To be honest You're not all my heart desires
I know you love me
But it doesn't feel that way
It feels like I'm drowning

No matter what the storm
Our anchor holds
No matter what may come
Your people press on

My heart was so tender as we led the melody at church for the first time. My prayer was that it would change people. That we would begin to step into a place of brutal honesty about where our hearts are... whether broken or hardened. That we would hand ourselves over to God's care and know how great His love is. And that we would know He isn't offended by our emotions.

I had drowned in sorrow at times over my suffering. Over my sin. Over situations beyond my control. But I was learning to face my feelings. And learning to turn tear-filled eyes upward and see my cries answered by a loving Father who pours out more mercy and loving-kindness than I can understand. I knew the freedom of being fully known by God. I knew how to pray this for others.

Oh how You love me with an unyielding love. When I'm prone to lose heart, You relentlessly pursue me—speaking truth into my life that changes me, even if my circumstances don't change. I can sing honestly and passionately, "No matter what the storm, my anchor holds". Continue to mold my heart and soften it. The burden I feel for those who may be where I was is growing. Help me to understand what You want me to do with it. Thank You for entrusting so much to me... to be told others' hurts, longings, and prayers is a blessing and a privilege.

Father let others find comfort and hope in my response when they share. Let me to tap into the secret place and speak a word to sustain them with the help of the Holy Spirit. Use me, to help shift eyes and hearts to our Anchor in the storm. Don't let my journey and story become singular in purpose and progression. Let it impact many as You help me to involve and include them.

Father help me to glorify Your great name, as I myself am putting my hope in You—and fixing my eyes on You.