LIving By Faith, Not By Sight

I'm changing my format a bit -- since I've started a new method of personal devotions myself.

This has been a difficult week for me. We, personally have had some challenges, but it has been more about hearing about other families and their challenges in adoption that have been so difficult. It is definitely a difficult road -- lots of challenges and frustrations and battles to fight. So when I read this this morning it really hit home.

It's long, but worth reading -- From First Corinthians 4:16 through 5:7 (NIV)

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. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling,, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight.

Amazing words. We cannot focus on the now -- because we will get discouraged. We have to focus on they way that God is going to work in us and refine us so that we can become better people. We need to realize that even when things on the outside seem to be impossible and we are literally wasting away, that God can renew us inwardly.

I feel like I am detracting from the passage by even trying to talk about it. It's such a powerful one.... I think I'll just leave it as is and state that I really needed to hear these words today.