Seeing the Unseen
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (CSB)
Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Reflection
In the last two months, I have had two back-to-back miscarriages. I have had wide swings from hope to heartbreak, and am still tender over the loss and devastation. I have lost a total of three little ones through miscarriages, one before my son was born, and then two after he was born. I shared the miracle of my son’s birth in another Tree Church Daily Devotional (Uncontained Joy, July 25, 2023,) which is a story I love to share. I never wanted to tell the story of losing my child, let alone three.
I’ve been really upset with God over losing my children. If I’m being honest, my attitude towards Him has been confrontational, asking, “Don’t You remember Your promise to help me and not to harm me?” I have intentionally looked back to remember all the times God has been faithful to me over my life, and there are many times I have seen Him come through for me. The problem now is that I can’t see Him coming through for me as the test results roll in, confirming another miscarriage.
This week, I was worshiping at church and started singing the Elevation song words, “I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered,” which is the literal meaning of my son’s name. I felt the Holy Spirit say to me, “This was your story when Samuel was born, and it still is.” That time, I could see God at work, but like today’s scripture reminds us, He operates largely in the unseen.
We live in a broken and painful world, which can take our eyes off of God’s eternal plan. While I want my babies back, I know to be absent from me means they are present with Jesus. I have the hope of seeing the unseen one day in heaven, and reuniting with not just them, but many other loved ones who I can’t see anymore. Focusing on the unseen is the only way to keep our eyes on the prize, which is eternity with Jesus.
Action Steps
Turn on your favorite hymn or worship song and worship in His presence. Worship takes the focus off of the troubles we are facing, and fixes our eyes on the Lord and His goodness.
Prayer
God, the pain I experience in this life doesn’t make any sense to me. Give me eyes to see You and how You are working all things for good. Give me ears to hear the Holy Spirit’s whispers of eternity. Amen.
Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Reflection
In the last two months, I have had two back-to-back miscarriages. I have had wide swings from hope to heartbreak, and am still tender over the loss and devastation. I have lost a total of three little ones through miscarriages, one before my son was born, and then two after he was born. I shared the miracle of my son’s birth in another Tree Church Daily Devotional (Uncontained Joy, July 25, 2023,) which is a story I love to share. I never wanted to tell the story of losing my child, let alone three.
I’ve been really upset with God over losing my children. If I’m being honest, my attitude towards Him has been confrontational, asking, “Don’t You remember Your promise to help me and not to harm me?” I have intentionally looked back to remember all the times God has been faithful to me over my life, and there are many times I have seen Him come through for me. The problem now is that I can’t see Him coming through for me as the test results roll in, confirming another miscarriage.
This week, I was worshiping at church and started singing the Elevation song words, “I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered,” which is the literal meaning of my son’s name. I felt the Holy Spirit say to me, “This was your story when Samuel was born, and it still is.” That time, I could see God at work, but like today’s scripture reminds us, He operates largely in the unseen.
We live in a broken and painful world, which can take our eyes off of God’s eternal plan. While I want my babies back, I know to be absent from me means they are present with Jesus. I have the hope of seeing the unseen one day in heaven, and reuniting with not just them, but many other loved ones who I can’t see anymore. Focusing on the unseen is the only way to keep our eyes on the prize, which is eternity with Jesus.
Action Steps
Turn on your favorite hymn or worship song and worship in His presence. Worship takes the focus off of the troubles we are facing, and fixes our eyes on the Lord and His goodness.
Prayer
God, the pain I experience in this life doesn’t make any sense to me. Give me eyes to see You and how You are working all things for good. Give me ears to hear the Holy Spirit’s whispers of eternity. Amen.
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