The words stand out …
“So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here.”
(Ephesians 3:13a, NLT)
If we were to be truly honest with ourselves, it is so easy to lose heart.
“To lose heart” is defined as ”to give up; to give into trouble; to become exasperated by difficulty; to be defeated in spirit; to collapse in weariness.” (from The New Testament Lexical Aids).
Basically, it is when the bottom falls out.
The enemy of our souls would have us to think, to believe, and be convinced that our situation is hopeless. Things will never change. He would tell us to give up.
Paul tells us otherwise. He says, “Don’t lose heart.”
That’s our problem – we give up too soon. Just because we have not reaped the harvest yet does not mean it is not coming. It is just not the right time yet. Paul knew this would be our tendency and so he warns us again even using the same verbiage:
“Let us not lose heart in doing good,
for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”
(Galatians 6:9, NASB)
Being tired describes a physical condition. Losing heart, growing weary, describes a spiritual attitude.
“Paul encouraged the Christians to persevere. They were not to relax their standards or give up doing the good they had learned … this is a pep talk to continue walking by faith without becoming discouraged or losing heart. Trust God for a harvest of eternal blessings and the strength to do His will.”
(from The Woman’s Study Bible, page 1955)
Don’t lose heart.
Keep trusting God
for He will yet work it all out.
Reflection:
How do you keep from losing heart? How can we be praying for you today?
It's actually so hard to not lose heart during these trying times. I just hold on to what the Word tells me , that He is coming soon! That gives me hope.
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