inner self

2 Corinthians 4:16

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

A pastor often spends time with folks in either the highest or lowest moments of life. Births, weddings, illness, death. It is not always easy but it is a privilege to be with families in these moments.

Sometimes when a person has had many challenges, their faith is challenged too. We know God is love and God's promise is to be with us always. But when we've seen or experienced suffering and loss, we may feel terribly alone.

The processes of aging or illness may have us feeling that our “outer self is wasting away.”

This scripture reminds us that our “inner self is being renewed day by day.” how can this be so, when we feel so alone? One of the most effective ways is to spend time, even a few minutes a day in the God's word and prayer. Reading the Bible and prayer do not have to take a lot of time. Even ten or fifteen minutes in the morning can be the foundation for the day. Or we can have time to read and pray in the evening before bed to finish our day.

Beginning and maintaining this practice will help us get through our daily lives. And when the challenges come up, we will have a daily habit to hold us in good stead.