"The idea that this world is a playground instead of a battleground has now been accepted in practice by the vast majority of Christians." A.W. Tozer
We are in a battle, and one of our greatest fights is against despair in this sin stained world. Sickness, sadness, sorrow, and circumstances surround us and attack us with despair. Yet, we are not alone in the fight.
Even the Apostle Paul struggled at times to practice what he preached. On the one hand he said, "Rejoice always!" (Philippians 4:4), But other times he despaired even of life (2 Corinthians 1:8). When we read about all the pain and problems Paul battled in this world (2 Corinthians 11:23-29) we understand his fight to overcome despair was very intense. For many of us the battle fields are different, but the war is no less intense. Is there a weapon which can help us win this battle? I wish there were a nuclear bomb to obliterate despair, but there isn't. Thankfully God has given us weaponry to use for the hand to hand combat with despair-scales and scopes. Let me explain.
In 2 Corinthians 4 Paul describes himself as "perplexed but not in despair."
8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 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.
Like Paul, I am perplexed and at times feel on the verge of despair. Yet, I should not be surprised about my own perplexities. I live in a sin stained world. I am on a pilgrimage, not a vacation in this world. I am in a battle and have an enemy whose greatest tool is despair. AND God's way's are not my ways, they are higher than mine (Isaiah 55:8,9). No wonder I am perplexed about life! Right now I am without a full time ministry position after 21 years of fairly successful ministry by some accounts. I've been seeking the Lord and His provision for an opportunity to serve for over a year. And yet, nothing...which leaves me perplexed and drives me to despair.
A couple weeks ago while studying 2 Corinthians 4, I was writing down the word "despair" when the line "When Satan tempts me to despair..." came on in a song from the other room. No coincidence in my mind. I am tempted to despair, but thankfully God has provided two weapons to keep me from going over the edge if I choose to use them.
First, Paul used a different set of scales than everyone else, and so must we if we are to win the battle. His scales for weighing life were counterbalanced by eternity. He did not compare his burdens with comfort or a pain free life. No, he placed eternity on his scales. No burden in life could outweigh a burden-free eternity. So he fought on.
His scales of time were different as well. For Paul to be able to call his years of intense suffering "momentary," Paul obviously used a different calendar than most of us who only live in the moment. What is even a lifetime of suffering in comparison to an eternity of peace and joy? We are like children scraping our knees who can't see beyond the pain of the moment and cry like our lives are ending. OUR lives are eternal; so what we are going through now is truly momentary, yes painful and very real, but momentary.
Second, Paul used a different set of scopes as well. The Greek word for "fixing our eyes" is the word from which we get "scope." Paul focused his eyes on the unseen world. Like a doctor who uses a microscope to see the unseen world of cells and bacteria, Paul used an eternal scope to look beyond his pain to see the unseen world of God and eternity. He did not deny reality, but saw the greater reality which most of us can't see because our scopes are focused on the here and now. Looking at life through a scope which is out of focus leaves life blurry. But the right scope correctly focused reveals a whole new world which enables us along with Paul to fight the enemy of despair with clear vision.
Some practical tools to keep life in focus. 1. Listen to music which focuses our minds on eternity and God's working in our lives here on earth. 2. Memorize scriptures which help us look beyond our circumstances (Phlippians 4:4-9, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Psalm 37:1-9, 1 Peter 1:3-7). 3. Hang around friends who help us keep an eternal focus. 4. Participate in God focused worship services which will refocus our hearts after spending a week living in this sin stained world. 5.Read books by or about those who have fought the battles and have won. (e.g. Max Lucado, You'll Get Through This) Here is a video link by the group Shane and Shane and John Piper which will encourage you as well..(http://www.youtube.com/
Which scales are you using to weigh the circumstances of your life and to determine the duration of your trial? Are you using the right set of scopes, and are they focused on eternity? Don't get me wrong. I'm ready for the battle of my ministry search to be over, but not until eternity becomes more weighty to me and my eyes are refocused from the seen world to the incredible unseen world. The battle with despair can be won if we use the weapons God has provided. Fight on!
