The other day, I was doing my Bible study on the Bible app, and as I was reading the assigned Scriptures, I was hit hard, out of nowhere, from 2 Corinthians 4. It's a short chapter, but so convicting to me in my walk with the Lord. I want to share some of these perspective changing truths with you, and it's my prayer that God will speak to you through these verses like He spoke to me through them.

(Before continuing, check 2 Corinthians out here! I won't go through every single verse because there is so much to unpack here, but I'd encourage you to set apart some time to really dive deep into it on your own.)

"Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart." (verse 1)

In any kind of work, it is so easy to become discouraged and "lose heart". It can be so hard as we trek on and battle through other people's opinions, overwhelming expectations, and burnout. Even as we serve God, through whatever ministry that may be, it can be struggle to stay joyful. But I found so much encouragement in this verse because it reminds me that my ministry is a gift from the Lord. It is through His grace alone that I am able to serve Him through the ministry of my life, and instead of stressing about it, I can simply give it back to Him with a grateful heart. Jesus is the one providing me these opportunities, so He will also provide everything I need to glorify Him in those situations; because of that, I can take courage and keep heart.

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ." (verse 6)

The God who spoke light into the universe out of nothing spoke His light into our souls. He specifically and intentionally chose you and I to be ambassadors, carriers of His light. This light is meant to spread and be shared in our dark world, never kept to ourselves, but shining through all we do. Not only that, but this light gives us knowledge of who God is as we continue to experience Him more and more. His light works in and through us, transforming our perspective, healing our hurts, and flowing through us as we love others.

"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 also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you." (verse 10-12)

Living for Jesus requires us to die to ourselves, to die to our earthly desires, so that we may be transformed by Jesus' death. We must "die" so that He may be glorified through us and so that we can live a life that reflects Him. We must die so that the people around us may see Jesus through us and come to know Him. There must be less of me so that there can be more of Him.

I know this is the opposite of everything our culture tells us. I know it can be scary and hard but I also know that we are most fulfilled, most joyful, and most at peace when Christ is taking over our lives and using us for His glory.

"It is written: 'I believed; therefore I have spoken.'" (verse 13)

This verse reminds me of the Great Commission and is such a convicting challenge to me. If we believe in Jesus, in what the Bible says, in what He is doing in our lives, then we should be moved to speak about it. We believe, so let's share it. We believe, so let's not keep this good news to ourselves - let's be bold and unafraid to talk about Jesus.

In everything that we do, through the good and bad, let's seek Him and praise Him behind closed doors, but let's also seek and praise Him in public as well. You never know how your story, how your challenges yet continual faith in Jesus may draw someone towards Him.

"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." (verse 15-16)

We don't lose heart because we know that our faithfulness to serve God and the people around us is making a difference in our community, and ultimately, it's spreading the love of Christ. We don't lose heart because God is doing a new thing in and through us, and even though we can't fully see it right now, one day, we will see Him in all His glory and all the trials we are facing will be worth it.

As I go through the everyday struggles, it's easy to become overwhelmed and discouraged by the trials. But we can hold fast to our joy and peace because it's all for the glory of God. It's all refining our character and drawing us close to Jesus, and because of that, we don't lose heart.

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." (vs 17)

The struggles we are facing right now are only momentary, only temporary, only fleeting, even though it seems like they are never ending. They are building up to something greater, something forever - something with Jesus. The struggles we are facing are challenging us and shaping us to look more and more like Jesus, and even though right now it's hard, the end result will be oh-so worth it. Whatever we're waiting for, whatever we're struggling with, God has an unbelievably incredible ending planned for us, and that will be greater than all of the current trials.

These verses in 1 Corinthians 4 are moving me in amazing ways, you guys. They are opening my eyes, and God is speaking to me in ways I didn't know I needed to hear. I'm reminded of God's faithfulness, of how He's working in my life, and how I can be living for Him in the midst of the struggles I'm facing right now. I'm challenged to hold to the faith, to glorify Him in new ways, but most importantly - I'm in complete and utter awe of the God I serve.

Did God open your eyes to a new truth, or remind you of an old one, through this chapter? I'd love to know in the comments below!