Come On—Get out of the Pit! 2 Corinthians 4.10-18

Paul remembered in the nighttime (of discouragement) what he knew to be true in the daylight. Each ‘but’ statement shows that he answered each scenario with truth . . . an
empowering choice to make. >Have some statements of truth ready to
counter the arrows that come your way—especially at nighttime when you
are weary. (such as “I can
do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians
4.13)

From there, Paul remembers his mission: “We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be
revealed in our body. 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. So then, death is at
work in us, but life is at work in you.

It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 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. 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.

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." 2 Corinthians 4.10-18

Paul’s mission, Paul’s purpose was clear—to him and to everyone who knew him. It kept him on point…do you know what I mean? Are you just drifting through your life, just letting life happen
to you? Well then, when you hit a bump in the road, that explains why
you are easily thrown off your course. Even in discouragement, Paul
knew his life’s goal . . . and he knew what it was to stay on course.
‘You?

>Stop thinking about yourself so much, and instead turn your focus toward God. “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so
easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out
for us. Let us
fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…”1 Get
your focus on God, and God-oriented solutions to life’s situations.

>Ask for help, specifically wisdom from God.2

>Retrain your mind, your thinking—move from worry and complaining to thanksgiving and praise.3,4

To quote a famous philosopher, "You gotta put your behind in the past... I mean your past behind you." ~ Hakuna Matata >Put your past behind you. We learn more from Paul about his modus
operandi-- “…one thing I do:
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on
toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward
in Christ Jesus.”5 While
the past cannot be changed, our view toward it can. We can accept the mercy of God, and allow
it to transform us—choosing to cast our gaze forward and heavenward,
rather than always looking backward over our shoulder. After all, this
world is not our home; we are just passing through, on our way to
Gloryland! Look beyond, look toward our eternal home, for this life is
just a flash in the pan by comparison.

So, by way of review, do not lose heart—choose to be a champion. (Do you notice my repeated use of the word “choose”? My choice to point to being intentional.)

1. Have truth statements ready to counter negative thinking

2. Know your mission (formed by your purpose) and stay on track

3. Correct your focus: from yourself->to God

4. Ask God for wisdom.

5. Change your thinking to that which is thankful and praiseworthy6

6. Let go of your past

7. Think about Heaven daily

In closing, be encouraged by David’s words--

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our
God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in
the Lord.” Psalm 40.1-3

Christine

1) Hebrews 12.1-2; 2) James 1.5 – If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him; 3) 1 Thessalonians 5.18 – Give thanks always… 4) Psalm 66 5) Philippians
3.13-14 6) Philippians 4.8