Do you remember the story of Bethany Hamilton, the surfer who was attacked by a shark and lost her arm? In describing herself, Bethany says,
“Most people know me as a professional surfer, author, and motivational speaker—but I’m also a wife, a mama of three boys, and a follower of Christ. At just 13 years old—right as my surfing career was beginning to take shape—I was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark. While I was lucky to survive, I lost my left arm. With astounding resilience, I hopped back on my board just a month after the attack, won my first national title two years later, and was able to call myself a pro surfer by the time I turned 17. Through all this, I discovered the keys to living "Unstoppable" and am here to share them with you!”
One of Bethany’s keys to living an unstoppable Christian life is found in one of her favorite Bible verses, John 16:33, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
One key to living in victory is found in three words Jesus said in this verse…
“But take heart!”
Those were Jesus' words to the disciples, and they are three words we should embrace in our lives, too.
The phrase “take heart” comes from the Greek word tharseó, which means to take courage, be of good cheer, and be confident.
Tharseó comes from a root word meaning “emboldened, warmed, and bolstered from within,” resulting in radiating “warm confidence.” It depicts someone who has been made “warm-hearted” because God himself has emboldened them, causing them to radiate “warm confidence” and unflinching courage. It is having a bold inner attitude, produced by the Spirit of God.
Taking heart is not worldly optimism. It is an inward confidence that rests on an external source infused into every believer's heart—God’s saving presence!
Take note, however, that in contrast to “taking heart” is the command “not to lose heart.”
In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul begins and ends the chapter with the same exhortation to the Corinthian church, and to us, to “not lose heart.”
2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.
2 Corinthians 4:16 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
The Greek phrase “lose heart” is ekkakéō, meaning to grow weary or faint in heart. It is an inner weakness that results from inner weariness.
The last line of that definition should resonate deeply. We must, by God’s grace, not allow our faith to be negatively influenced through the experience of inner weariness. Inner weariness, especially chronic inner weariness, can cause us:
* To doubt the character, nature, and faithfulness of God in our time of need and when we are at our lowest.
* Cause us to become susceptible to temptation and sin, and turn to other things to ease our suffering instead of the presence of God.
* Cause us to become influenced by twisted or false teaching that offers false hope in the midst of our hurt.
Inner weariness and losing heart are dangerous, but with God’s help, we can keep our hearts before Him and hold on to the strength He offers.
In 2 Corinthians 4, there are some principles we can glean from this chapter:
To take heart and not lose heart, we can:
1). Remember the true source of our refreshing (v.1)
In verse 1, Paul starts with, “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.” Paul recognizes that it was through God's mercy that he received his ministry in the first place, and that same mercy would sustain him in what God called him to do. We, too, have a throne of grace that we can come before, the throne of Jesus, to find the mercy Paul speaks of to help us in our time of need. Let us not forsake coming before this throne to receive God's mercy and help. Let us remember that His mercies are new every morning (Lam 3:23), that His presence is a well that never runs dry, and that His word is our daily bread, nourishing our weary souls. His presence is paramount to taking heart and not losing heart, and it is the primary way we are renewed inwardly day by day (2 Cor 4:16).
Key Point: We are less likely to lose heart when God's presence waters our hearts.
2). Renounce secret and shameful ways (v.2)
We must remember that a sure way to lose heart is by having a divided heart! To renounce sin means to disown anything incompatible with God's nature decisively. Let us remember 2 Chronicles 16:9, “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” God strengthens and lifts humble hearts fully set on serving Him. Remember, our inner strength often comes through surrender to the Holy Spirit and commitment to live a sanctified, set-apart life for God's glory.
Key Point: We lose heart through a divided heart!
3). Remain committed to the pure, living, and Holy Word of God (v.2a)
Paul says that, in his ministry, he does not use deception or distort the Word of God. To do so weakens the heart. Why? Because we cannot dilute the Word of God and then expect to experience the full strength it provides. Remember, God’s word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Ps 119:105). The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul (Ps 19:7). And all Scripture is God-breathed and is living and active. When it saturates our hearts, it produces the kind of Biblical life we are called to live (2 Tim 3:16, Heb 4:12). Life and strength are found in the Word of God—but not if Pastors and everyday believers water it down. Diluted and distorted teaching ultimately brings decay to the life of a church and a believer.
Key Point: Watered-down doctrine might tickle the ear, but it will ultimately weaken the heart.
4). Remember God’s power made perfect in weakness (v.7-9)
I love how Paul honestly reflects upon the nature of life on this side of eternity. He dials into the realities of the overwhelming pressure, stress, and suffering we all experience. And he admits that we have God’s presence, “this treasure,” in earthly vessels he refers to as “jars of clay.” But Paul goes on to say that God's presence and power are still greater than any pressure or pain we may experience. “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” We must remember that in the midst of chaos, we must choose an inner disposition that clings to Christ. We must choose to lean into Him and not away from Him in times of trouble. And one key to taking heart is choosing to lean the right way in hard times.
Key Point: In our desperation, God will bring forth great revelation to our eyes, a manifestation of His grace to strengthen our spirits, and even a great level of transformation to our lives. We will discover what Paul speaks of in 2 Cor 12:9, “power made perfect in weakness.”
5). Recalibrate your perspective (v.16-18).
Don’t lose heart by remembering that our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us eternal glory. And remember that God often transforms us more into his likeness through our troubles. Therefore, choose to keep your eyes on Jesus and retain an eternal perspective about this life in light of the life to come. And in your present circumstance, ask the Holy Spirit to help you see things the way God sees them and then, by His grace, seize what the Holy Spirit sees over your circumstances.
Key Point: My peace, and my ability to take heart, is often found in my perspective!
Today, I encourage you to take heart and not lose heart.
Remember Paul’s closing words in this chapter, “though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
Day by day, even today, God’s presence within you can renew you, refresh you, and strengthen you to take heart if you yield to Him in full surrender!
Taking heart,
Mike