I love the verse of Scripture in the image you see here today. I’ll write it out for you again with a couple more verses:
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV
Life is full of times that can make us lose heart. This year has been extra full of them!
The Lord is especially attentive to us when we are being sorely tempted to lose heart. I had one of those times this week. I leaned into the Lord, read His word, prayed by myself and with others, I cried, did Immanuel Journaling, and rested.
He spoke to me through His Word, His people and His Spirit. We will lose heart if we don’t access all that God has given us. If we do take advantage of those things, He will meet us and lift our spirits, help us to take heart!
One of the most encouraging things for me this week was a young woman who had an impression to contact me and ask if she could come pray for me. She came to my house and we prayed together for over an hour – such a huge blessing! I was really refreshed and encouraged. She just listened to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and came as His representative. It was just what I needed to encourage my weary heart and strengthen my weary body, to let me know that He saw, He heard, He would help.
She had an impression of a stack of crowns as she prayed. The Scriptures teach us that there are rewards in the form of crowns for overcoming, for staying faithful to God, for keeping the great commandment, for being steadfast in trials. Here is one of the verses about those crowns:
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12 ESV
I think the Lord wants you to know that there are rewards for you, crowns He wants to bestow upon you that are being stored up for you as treasure in heaven and as greater authority to reign with Him on earth.
We can take heart if we keep our eyes and minds focused on heaven, knowing that our inner being is growing stronger day by day. We are also shedding our old flawed humanity like a snake sheds its’ skin.
If you happen to be experiencing that temptation to lose heart, remember to access all that is available to you. God’s Word, God’s Spirit and
God’s people are available and will help you take heart.
If you’d like to try the Immanuel Journaling tool I mentioned, you can get it by clicking below. You can print out a copy and keep it in your journal.
If you’d like someone to help you stay encouraged and to make progress in your life and work, I’d love to do that with you! I offer both Group and Individual coaching as well as a new Retainer option and a Mastermind for women. You can check all those out here:
I wrote a book especially for women called The Divine Invitation: Entering the Dance of Becoming Fully Alive. Now I have a course to go along with that book as well. It’s all about the verses I have quoted today, and more. It’s great to do on your own or with a group of ladies who want to do it with you. You can check that out here:
I’ll have more coming in the near future – an opportunity to become UNHACKABLE in this current culture of constant distraction. I’ll write about that soon…
Take heart! I’d love to hear from you and pray for you!
Warmly, Terri
