Identity...

Have you ever stopped to look at the intricacy of your fingerprints or the markings on the palms of your hands? Every line and curve was uniquely set in place by the God who created you, and each one tells who you are and has the potential to record what you have done. Your very identity rests in this pattern on your skin, at least on the surface. The Bible also tells us that the eyes of our Father saw our unformed bodies. He knows how many hairs are on our heads, and all the days of our lives were written in His book before we even existed! Praise God! Oh, if only we would be diligent to seek His guidance to follow HIS plan for each of these days... After all, He knows who you are, what you will do, and what you will become.

Yesterday, DoubleT and I had our fingerprints taken for our adoption paperwork. We had to wait a few minutes, but once the officer taking the fingerprints arrived, it did not take long. It was actually a fun experience for me. I haven't had my fingerprints done since I was a little girl, unlike my international, now proud U.S. citizen husband who has had them done more times than he would like to count! LoL!! The first picture is him having his fingerprints done, and the second picture is me on my way to the sink to wash my hands without getting ink on my white shirt :-).

That is one baby step in the process done, one partly done (medical forms), and lots more left to do. So, what's next? Reference letters! We will send the forms out to the people who have agreed to tell what they know about us and wait to get their letters back.

You know, this process can be quite overwhelming, which is just part of the reason I backed off so much for a few months. At times, it can also seem a little unfair, but I don't want to dwell on that because those thoughts are just a pit which leads to depression. Instead, I have asked God to use each experience to teach me something and to continue to mold me to be more like Him.

So, what did I learn from being fingerprinted? Well, after completely covering my fingers with black ink, which again, I thought was a BLAST, I washed my hands. The officer said it should all come right off, and on my left hand, he was correct. On the other hand (pun intended :-)), the ink on my right hand was not so cooperative. I scrubbed and scrubbed, but a few light stains remained. As I looked at my hand, I thought about how similar sin can be in our lives. We try to scrub it off, but it just won't go. We work at it as hard as we can, but the spots are still there. You see, we can't do it on our own. Only Jesus blood contains the right formula to remove the sin from our lives.

You might have to click on the following picture to see the details, but my thumb just didn't want to let go of all the ink. Throughout the day, I washed my hands several more times, and eventually the marks faded and went away completely. Thinking back, though, it still occurred to me that, even when we have been forgiven and covered with the blood of the Lamb, sin can still cause us trouble. Others might not see it, but it does its damage beneath the surface. It might not be a big sin, but not giving it the proper attention only makes us more used to its presence in our lives and less sensitive to the destruction it can cause. We must continually be alert to completely "wash our hands" with the soap of confession so that the grip sin has on us fades away and becomes less and less... just like the ink on my hands. Only then can our daily identity in Christ be unhindered, as we become more and more like Him!

Preparing our fields...

The PROVIDENCE of God... At that very moment!

Isn't God amazing! This morning, I read something in 2 Kings which spoke to my heart. I know, I know, 2 Kings?!? Again, these books have never been my favorite, but recently, they have seemed to COME ALIVE! I love how God is guarding my heart by filling my mind with His Word and reminding me that He is in control of every small detail along the way! Check this out...


The New Living Translation 2 Kings 8:1-6
1 Elisha had told the woman whose son he had brought back to life, "Take your family and move to some other place, for the LORD has called for a famine on Israel that will last for seven years." 2 So the woman did as the man of God instructed. She took her family and lived in the land of the Philistines for seven years. 3 After the famine ended she returned to the land of Israel, and she went to see the king about getting back her house and land. 4 As she came in, the king was talking with Gehazi, the servant of the man of God. The king had just said, "Tell me some stories about the great things Elisha has done." 5 And Gehazi was telling the king about the time Elisha had brought a boy back to life. At that very moment, the mother of the boy walked in to make her appeal to the king."Look, my lord!" Gehazi exclaimed. "Here is the woman now, and this is her son – the very one Elisha brought back to life!" 6 "Is this true?" the king asked her. And she told him that it was. So he directed one of his officials to see to it that everything she had lost was restored to her, including the value of any crops that had been harvested during her absence.


Again, isn't God AMAZING that He would use Elisha to heal her son and then orchestrate her steps over the course of seven years to culminate at that very moment! A coincidence? After 7 years? I think NOT!!! God's provision protected her from the famine and restored her as she returned. God took care of the timing. She simply obeyed "as the man of God had instructed."


***UPDATE***
Baby Step #1: medical forms. I made my appointment yesterday and am scheduled for July 10. DoubleT had his appointment for a physical yesterday. Unfortunately, we did not realize that the physical involved a TB test. No big deal, right? Well, once upon a time DoubleT reacted positive on a TB test, even though he doesn't have TB. That means that any time he has to have a TB test, his results will show up as positive. The solution? He has to have a chest x-ray, and that, we will have to pay for because of our health insurance deductible. We also found out from our agency that health forms have to be redone every 12 months, so we are thinking that we might wait to have the x-ray and finish the form until we are almost ready to have the home study done. That could at least buy us a little time on the far side...
Cost - ??? TBD prior to having the x-ray

Baby Step #2: fingerprints.
We will have these done on Thursday.
Cost - $10

We are still praising God because we know He is in control of the timing of every moment, AND because He IS Worthy!

Preparing our fields...

Baby steps...

Recently, I have been reading the novel that goes along with the movie "Facing the Giants." I loved the movie, although I think the book is MUCH better! Battling the things that have been going through my mind over the last several months, there were many things stated in the book that really ministered to me. One in particular was when Grant Taylor realized that he had to "prepare his fields" to be ready to receive God's blessing. Now, I have said before that I am not a "name it and claim it" type of Christian, but I do think that there is some truth to the principle of preparing your fields. After all, God is not going to simply give me something I am not ready for, right? And even if He would, the state of Virginia would not... LOL! :-) There are certainly a lot of hoops made of paperwork and dollars to jump through, and we are going to tackle them one at a time. Would you like to watch our journey? As we go, my prayer is that God would provide for each need, big or small, as it comes. I am the kind of person who likes to have all my "ducks in a row" and to see the plan all laid out. I especially like to have everything I need for the end result before I am willing to take the first step. So, this prayer is a BIG challenge for me! God, grant us our daily bread and help us to move forward in Your steps.

Baby Step #1: medical forms.
Daniel has an appointment for his physical today, and I am going to make my appointment today. Not tomorrow. Today. (I am a procrastinator, by trade :-))
Cost - $0
Praise God! This may be the last thing that doesn't cost anything (it is covered by our insurance)... but we will praise God even when we have to write the checks!


Preparing our fields...
Erin
**Let us know you were here!**

p.s. The baby shoes were a gift from a dear friend of mine many months ago to remind me to keep moving...

God does not...

A friend responded yesterday to an email I sent her the other day. I have actually never physically met this friend, but came to know her as a result of my blog. In her email, she asked me a question which, for some reason (perhaps God?!?!) struck me in a very profound way. Such a profound way that I began to search the Scriptures and was led to a passage in the book of Numbers. Yes, you heard me right ~ Numbers. I must admit, it has never been my favorite book of the Bible, mostly because it is not very easy to read. I also found that this particular passage was VERY long. In fact, as I read, it kept getting longer - and - longer because I had to keep going back farther - and - farther to discover the background of what was happening. In the end, I had to read chapters 21-24 to get the whole story. I am beginning to realize that there is so much in the Bible that I have never read, at least with understanding.

Well, long introduction over... the verse that initially got my attention was Numbers 23:19, which says, "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?" What an amazing truth and answer to prayer is contained in that verse! I have often (in relation to my circumstances) said, "I know God CAN, but WILL He?" Oh, me of little faith! God does not lie. God does not change His mind. God does not speak and then not act. God does not promise and not fulfill.

But, I can't stop there, because that is neither the only nor the loudest part of the passage which spoke to me. Really, the part that SHOUTED to me most was the part that was not written at all. While God does not do any of the previously mentioned things, I do. I lie. I most definitely change my mind (ladies, can you relate?!?). I speak and then don't act. I neglect to fulfill the promises I have made. Such immaturity and faithlessness!

Then, I began to wonder... exactly what was it that God spoke that He wouldn't change His mind about or back down on His promise? Well, I promise I won't copy and paste it here (you can breathe a **sigh** of relief), but if you get a chance, scroll back up to the top of this post, and click on the link to the passage in Numbers. I don't think you will be disappointed. The Word of God recounts a portion of the Israelite's journey through the desert. You know, the journey that began with them escaping Egypt and Phaaroh's army by crossing the Red Sea on dry ground... the journey that continued as they wandered around for 40 years... the journey that ended (sort of) when they finally reached the Promised Land!

This leg of the adventure tells us how God orchestrated the Israelites' continued protection from their enemies as well as their safe passage through territories which did not belong to them. In fact, God gave the Israelites victory (and possession) over so much of the land that had belonged to their enemies that the next group of people they were about to encounter was very scared. Numbers 22:3-4 says, "And Moab was terrified because there were so many people. Indeed, Moab was filled with dread because of the Israelites. The Moabites said to the elders of Midian, 'This horde is going to lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.' "

Wow. The Israelites had made such an impression that NOBODY wanted to mess with them! The reputation that preceded them left Balak, the king of Moab really irritated. He wanted them off his property, but he knew they were too powerful for him. So, he called on Balaam, a man known for his ability to prophesy, in hopes that Balaam would effectively "curse" the Israelites into getting out of his country.

Unfortunately, what Balak didn't understand was that Balaam had already received instruction from God before he was even permitted to go to Moab. Not only that, but God had instructed Balaam to say nothing that did not come directly from Him. Talk about being "tight lipped!" God went to incredible lengths to get His point across and to make sure that Balaam would not give in to temptation and take the path of greed. In fact, He even sent an angel to stop Balaam one more time to keep him straight and to remind him to watch what he said. Too bad for his talking donkey that Balaam behaved in such an asinine way (pun intended).

So, what exactly was it that God was so concerned about? What had He said that He wouldn't change His mind? It was His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, His promise to bless the children of Israel. He had kept His promise all this time, even through the Israelites' disobedience and ungrateful complaining. He had kept His promise. He had helped them escape. He had protected them. He had blessed them far beyond anything they ever deserved. Why should He change His mind now and curse them?

Well, Balak certainly did not like that option, so he figured he would settle for the next best thing. He told Balaam that if he wouldn't curse the Israelites, he should at least refrain from blessing them. But, Balaam would have nothing to do with it. His "eyes saw clearly" his instructions from God and he proceeded to bless the Israelites as the LORD had commanded!

Obviously, Balak was angry, but what could he do? Nothing, except listen in silence as Balaam blessed the nation of Israel and prophesied of what was to come! "The oracle of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened: I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of the sons of Sheth. Edom will be conquered; Seir, his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong. A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city." (Numbers 24:16-19)

Do you hear the words of God? Do you have knowledge from the Most High? Do you see a vision from the Almighty? Are your eyes opened? Do you see the MESSIAH?!?!?!

How could God have lied? How could God have changed His mind? How could God have spoken and not acted or promised and not fulfilled? He couldn't! There was too much at stake ~ His covenant with Abraham, with the nation of Israel, and His loving plan to redeem the WHOLE WORLD!!

I do not claim to make a comparison between God's plan to move in my circumstances and God's plan to bring salvation to the world. However, I do know this ~ Change was not part of God's character in Balaam's day, and it still isn't in His character today. He is the same Yesterday ~ Today ~ and FOREVER!!! He says what He means, and He means what He says.

Remember, at the beginning, I said that this all started with a question from a friend? Well, I don't think I ever told you what the question was. She asked me, "How are you and your husband doing, and in what direction is God moving you at this time?" That was a very fair question, although the initial response that FLEW through my mind with just a hint of sarcasm (I have a real problem with sarcasm!) stunned even me. I thought "The same direction He was moving us before." Then I thought, "Where did THAT come from?" Well, I still haven't responded to my friend yet, because I have been trying to formulate my response, and it has been taking some time. I guess my conclusion (from God) is that He does not change, and therefore, our direction has not changed. I'm starting to get the feeling that the problem I have with my circumstances is, well... me. My fears, my hesitations, my lack of faith, my procrastination. We need to keep moving in the direction He has already given us, even if we don't know where it will lead. We need to heed His instructions, recognize His counsel in each decision, and **hopefully** refrain from blindly beating any donkeys along the way!

From place to place... around the world... on the other side...

Did you know that God can use you to make a difference in someone else's life?

I've been looking over some statistics from the visit counters that I have at the bottom of my blog, and I was amazed to discover a few things (I knew the art of statistics was good for something!!!)... First, there are a lot of people in Virginia that read my blog. Go figure! OK, that wasn't really a surprise since I live here, work here, and most of the people I interact with are here as well. On the other hand, I learned that the hospitality of my virtual home has frequently been enjoyed by visitors from locations as near as Johnstown, Pennsylvania (my original home town and the current physical residence of many friends and family) and as far away as Dallas, Texas and Mountain View, California. I have no clue where that is, but it certainly sounds like a pleasant place to live. On occasion, I have also entertained passersby from New York, Delaware, Maryland, Kansas, Michigan, Georgia, New Jersey, Tennessee, Florida, Indiana, and Kentucky. I am truly humbled and grateful that the unknown people behind these visits would stop to listen to what I have to say. I don't know that I know anyone from these states, but for however brief a moment, something written on these pages peaked their interest, answered a question, or met a need in their life. To God be all the glory!

I found it even more remarkable to learn that "His-Heart" has been an international vacation spot for our neighbors in Mazowieckie, Poland; Stockholm, Sweden; Madrid, Spain; Alberta and Ontario, Canada; Cameroon; England; South Africa; and the Netherlands! How like God to use a tool such as the internet in the hands of one of His children to reach beyond my Jerusalem and touch the life of someone on the other side of my keyboard! Why, though, should I be surprised? He brought my husband to me from the other side of the world.

There is a story in the Bible that I read the other day for the first time that I can remember. In Acts 9:26-43, specifically verses 32-35, we learn that Peter, as he is traveling from place to place, meets and heals a man named Aeneas. We don't know anything else about Aeneas except that, prior to Peter's visit, he had been paralyzed and confined to his bed for eight years. Think about that for a moment ~ 8 years! Can you imagine? We can also assume that Aeneas's situation was well known in the community because "the whole population of Lydda and Sharon turned to the Lord when they saw Aeneas walking around!" What a testimony he had to tell of that moment! But what about the previous 8 years? What put him in that bed? What did he do with his time? What did he think about? Did he have a good attitude? What about the day just before Peter came? Was Aeneas expectant with HOPE that tomorrow would be the day he would be healed?

What about you? Are you expectant with HOPE that tomorrow could be the day God intervenes in your life? What about the people God would want you to touch? Are they expectant with HOPE that tomorrow could be the day God meets them wherever they are? As you go from place to place, consider what the life of Aeneas was like before Peter came. Aeneas had a need to be healed. Others we pass by also have a need. It may be a physical need for provision, or it could be an emotional need for encouragement. Everyone has a spiritual need for reconciliation with God. Whose physical need will you meet? Whose encourager will you be? Whose soul waits to hear your testimony of God's salvation? Consider... who is sitting on the other side ...of the bed ...of the street ...of the desk ...of the pew ...of the pulpit ...of the checkout line ...of the country ...of the nation ...of the world ~

Go... make a difference!

It was the best of times... it was the worst of times...

I remember my 25th year so well. I grew so much spiritually that year. I also hated the fact that I had turned 25. After all, that meant I was half-way to 30, right? Don't ask me what was so horrible about that, because the reality of 30 really wasn't that bad. So, with a pleasant "30" and "31" in my history book, I should have learned from that experience, right? Wrong. Now, I am 32, and this has once again been a dreaded birthday year for me. Why? I have not a clue, but it is, and it feels eerily similar to the span of time I experienced between 25 and 26. Except that this time, it is much more lonely and it feels like I am crawling around aimlessly while the rest of our "not-as-big-as-I-used-to-think-it-was" world flies by at record speed. It seems like everyone else is on a journey with a mission while I float by singing "It's a small world after all..."

Side note ~ I have GOT to go on that ride again this September when we go to Disney World! J ~ put it on the list!!! :-)

Anyway, I ask myself, "What is God doing? What is His plan? And when is He going to share the details with me?" And then, I find myself struggling in my faith. I believe in God. I believe Jesus is the Son of God and that He died, was buried, and rose again to offer me (and you) eternal life. I believe He knows all things and can do all things. Then, why do I sit here and wonder if He will keep His promise to me? Why do I doubt? Why do I envy others? Why don't I exhibit any confidence in my God who says "I Am", the One who has the power to heal the sick, to cast out demons, to move mountains? Why? I think I've just become so tired... of waiting... of trying to be strong...

You know, there are a few things I should have learned by now. One - to be careful what I pray for, and two - to be on the alert for Satan's attacks. You would think as many times as he beats me down with the same stick, I would learn to see it coming. I've even been warned in BIG BOLD letters ("I'll catch him while he is tired and weak" 2 Samuel 17:2a NCV), yet I seem to find myself helplessly cowering in the corner when I should be running away as fast as I can. Or better yet, beating him with the sword of the Spirit!

Back in my 25th year, I experienced the same thing. As I began to learn and grow in my faith, to seek and follow His will for my life, to treat God as LORD, and not just Savior, Satan began to attack...

Excerpt from the introduction of a paper I wrote about the process of change in my undergrad Psychology program...
On September 2, 2001, God used a song and a sermon to speak to me about the will of God and the will of Satan for my life. In his song “Take My Life”, Scott Underwood writes about his longing to be holy, faithful, and broken before God. In the chorus, he invites God to begin the process necessary to achieve this. It says “Take my heart and form it, take my mind transform it, take my will conform it, to yours, to yours, oh Lord” (Underwood, 1995). After our vocal group sang this song, the pastor began to preach. He explained that the name Devil comes from the Greek word Diabolos, which means slanderer or false accuser. He warned us that the devil attacks our mentality, morality, and motivation with false accusations because he desires to control our mind, heart, and will. This idea was supported by 2 Timothy 2:26 which says “Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil's trap, having been captured by him to do his will” (Holman Christian Standard Bible, 2001). He encouraged us to claim God’s power and protection and to resist the schemes of Satan by putting on the whole armor of God. I had never considered that Satan had a will for my life, but I recognized how he had rendered me useless to do the will of God by attacking my mind with false accusations. I determined to guard myself from that day on.

***

You would think I would learn from the past. Satan loves nothing more than a stronghold in our lives. Bet you can guess what mine is.

Even so, it is encouraging to see how faithful God is to redeem our weaknesses. He wants us to focus our eyes on the goal, even if we can't see the finish line. Just yesterday, I was reminded through the blog of a friend that our brokenness is the vehicle God uses to demonstrate Himself. I don't think this just means the pain we go through, but also the attitude of relinquishment that pain can bring. Why? So that, whatever the outcome, He will receive the glory.

Taking every thought captive until His plan becomes clear...

My Virtual SOAP BOX...

I think we are a generation of people who have become accustomed to hiding behind our screens, keyboards, ipods, and cell phones. It's so easy (and perhaps more comfortable?) to avoid meaningful conversation by putting the earbuds in our ears or by reading someone's blog and then just moving on. It's much harder to open up and make yourself vulnerable - even through something as little as a comment others might read. I don't think this is a unique experience. I believe it is a phenomenon we have brought on ourselves. I believe it is widespread. I have seen it on the blogs and websites of countless other people. We all have our hit counters to tell us how many have passed by, but who are they? and where have they gone? why did they come? and why did they silently fade away? Am I the only one who wonders these things? I have noticed that people will respond in MASS numbers when someone is in crisis or on a mission, but in the everyday trials of life, people are content to just go about their own business. It's not unlike what I like to call "THE OBLIGATION SYNDROME" - Someone died? or had a baby? OK, let's send a card, flowers, and food. Let's go to the funeral or the hospital, hurry up and voice our condolences or congratulations, and then get back to our own personal, comfortable life where we don't have to know what others are feeling two weeks later, and we certainly don't have to share what we are feeling ever.

THE GOAL:
You know, I started this blog for a couple of reasons. First, I like to write, and I needed an outlet for some of the things I was feeling. Second, I appreciate the historical value of a journal to keep track of my growth and setbacks. However, I don't like to physically write on paper as much as I used to. Call it a casualty of the computer age we live in. Third, I believed God was calling me to two things - 1. to love Him with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength, and 2. to comfort others with the comfort He has given me. So, I set out in a vulnerable fashion to record my adventure to develop more love for Him and to encourage others through any pain they may be experiencing as well. Finally, a selfish reason I started this blog was to perhaps gain encouragment from others. That has happened to some extent, and I thank all of you who have encouraged me through comments on my postings, through signing my guestbook, through a passing comment in the hallways, or through a prayer I didn't even know you prayed. All are encouraging, although I must admit that I wish there were more "tangible" comments I could see.

THE CHALLENGE:
So, who wants to get vulnerable with me? OK, maybe you don't want to, but who is willing to try? I know it's scary. I know it can be painful. But, it can be a blessing if you let it. I would love to hear if God has used my struggles to teach you something or to encourage you. I would love to know that you are praying for me. I would love to hear how God is working in your life. I would love to hear your hurts so that I know how to pray for you. So, come on... it only takes a click... there it is... Comment! :-)

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ~Galatians 6:2

Unbelief... honest and UNCUT

You may be tired of listening to me, so if you are, just ignore me. I need to get this all out. It helps.

How does one go about changing their feelings? Prior to beginning the counseling program, I would have thought it was easy. Just decide to change. Make a choice. But in real life, it's just not that easy. I can know the truth, and I can choose to believe it, but sometimes - I just don't FEEL it. I'm no different than the man whose son was possessed by a spirit. Read the story. No, REALLY. Click the link and read the story. Otherwise, I will have to paste it here, and it's too long.

Done? OK.

Why do you think the man IMMEDIATELY responded to Jesus' offer of healing by saying that he believed while, at the same time, begging Jesus to help him actually believe. Did he want to believe? OR did he want the result of believing? I think he was tired and grasping at whatever small measure of hope that he could. He didn't have any strength left, and he just wanted his son to be well. Like me. I'm tired too - tired of waiting. I just want my life to be well, and it's not. You know people you pass in the hall often ask the obligatory "How are you?", and I wonder... Do they really want to know?

So, how am I? How do I feel? I feel beaten down and crushed. I feel depressed. More than that, I feel angry. I wonder what I have done wrong. I wonder what others have done right. I know I should be happy for those who God is blessing. I know I should gain strength and hope from the success and example of others. But, I'm not. And, I don't. Please don't take offense at this. It's not about you. And it shouldn't be about me. I know how I am supposed to feel, but I can't seem to help how I do feel.

Why can't I respond like Abraham, who did not waver in his faith? God answered the prayers of both men, but the man whose son was possessed said "if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." He desperately hoped Jesus could heal his son. Abraham was fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised and it was credited to him as righteousness.

LORD, please help me to stand on Your promises. Give me strength to withstand and joy as I do. Give me faith to replace my unbelief. Untangle my emotions and fully persuade me that You not only can, but will do what You have said.

Crushed

I am at a loss for words, so I will allow God's Word to speak for itself - - - in my life and whatever you may be facing in your life.

Psalms 51:7-13
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.

Proverbs 17:22-22
22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 18:14-14
14 A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?

2 Corinthians 4:8-18
8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 13 It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 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.

New International Version