May Hope Be Your Anchor – Part Three

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” (II Corinthians 4: 16).

        This is no complaint, but those who have been blessed know it is a summary of aging. Well, the part regarding “our outward man is perishing” no matter how much we exercise, what skin care is used, or how many vitamins we take age wins out. Can I get an “amen?”

        However, there is another part of the verse noting a victory we can win if “we do not lose heart.” That is our part. Belief goes before hope springs forth. Don’t lose heart!

        If most of us were objective we would look back and conclude these words from “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” by Isaac Watts speak truth:

        “Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home.”

        “Lose heart” means to be exhausted, spiritless, or weary. We all are challenged at times not to lose heart. It is then spiritual attributes are the only thing that sustain us.

        To lose heart is to grow fainthearted to the point of giving up. Luke 18:1 says, “They ought always to pray and not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

        Two antidotes are noted thereby. Prayer is an expression of hope. Offering a prayer indicates hope in the answer. Who wants to snivel and grumble in God’s presence? In talking to Him evidence your hope His answer will afford your need.

        The second antidote is to “not grow weary in well doing.” As best as you can, stay busy in doing constructive things. To gain strength helpfully reach out to others in need.

        During a flight from Portland, Maine, to Boston, pilot Henry Dempsey heard a noise at the rear of his small aircraft. As he went to investigate, the plane hit an air pocket, and Dempsey was tossed against the tail section. The rear door had not been properly latched. As it flew open, Dempsey was sucked from the jet. When the co-pilot made an emergency landing, they found Dempsey holding the outer ladder of the aircraft. Somehow, he caught the ladder, held on for ten minutes as the plane flew 200 mph at 4,000 feet, and survived the landing. It took several minutes to pry his fingers from the ladder. 

        That is the type of grip on life we need as the outer man is perishing. Thereby the inner man can be renewed.

        With our outer self “perishing” followers of Jesus long for the day when the words from “It Is Well With My Soul” by Horatio Spafford herald our optimum rejuvenation. “And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,

The clouds are rolled back as a scroll.” There on the distant shore will be the Lord of Life.