What's important?

What is up guys? I know it's been crazy and it ain't over... not even close. I hope you all have what you need and are focused on eternal things, which is what I wanted to write to you about today. 

 First, I just want to say this is really on my heart with all the fear and uncertainty about this virus going around. Even as I type this I imagine looking back on it and remembering this time when everyone really freaked out. In times like this to have peace is rare, but very much needed isn't it. Jesus is the prince of peace ya'll. Let's try to make this tangible shall we?

 Well, let's just hit on the difference between what is temporal and eternal for a sec. Temporal is everything you see, taste, touch, smell, and hear. Yes, everything, and anything you can see with your eyes, or experience with any of your senses will not last eternally. It seems profound, but God doesn't want anything in this life to be our main focus. Col 3:2 says "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Yes, we have to focus on it to some extent. We have to continue to be responsible and pay bills, take care of our families etc. But He doesn't want it to be our main, driving focus. He is clear that we need to focus on eternal things. And to put the Lord above all these things that are going on here on Earth. Okay, so what are eternal things? Well, let's look to the Word.

First we will look at 2 Cor 4:18  "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." Okay, so eternal things are things we cannot see, in other words, spiritual things. We cannot expect to understand spiritual things unless we are praying to the Lord and reading his word and asking for that understanding. Again, I can try to explain but it is much more effective if it is from the inspired infallible Word of God. 

Okay, so what is something that is eternal that I can start to focus on right now? Well, Romans 6:23 says "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Salvation is eternal. That is a great thing to focus on in this time. This struggle is not going to be as long as eternal life with Jesus! Also in 2 Cor 4:17 we see " For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; "  This tough time is going to be nothing compared to the glory we will receive. His glory, possibly, if we are living according to His will. I had to chuckle at this last one because, let's be honest how many times do we make ourselves feel better by comparing our situation to others. "oh, it could be worse, I could have to deal with such and such, like so and so" Am I right? But, biblically, we can compare this hard time to many things. It's not as bad as what Christ suffered. It's definitely not. Our Apostle Paul also suffered much greater things in his life than this "light affliction" we face today.

God wants us to trust him in these times. If we realize that God is outside of time, then we can know that he has gone before us and already knows what will happen.  We can stop wasting time worrying, and trust that He has our best interest in mind. If we are doing all we can to keep our minds on eternal things, we won't be bogged down by these temporal things. It is definitely a battle in the mind. The enemy wants us to be depressed, discouraged, dragged down, and in fear. Those thoughts of hopelessness and fear can come to all of us but we have to fight them. 2 Timothy 2:3-4 "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." And 2 Cor 10:5 "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" We will have to do the battle in our minds, with our thoughts. Cast down the fear, the doubt, the despair and choose to trust. 

We can see from the above verses that it doesn't please the Lord for us to get wrapped up in these temporal things. If I watch a lot of this situation on the news or I focus on it more than I'm spending time with the Lord I might allow fear to creep in. There needs to be a balance. If you are already afraid you need to know that fear is not from God. 1 Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  

(just a little aside...I love the song by Francesca Battistelli called the Breakup song. Check it out!!)

Memorizing scripture gives you a way to focus on God's eternal word. Also, prayer really helps. If you put your focus on praying for others it gets your mind off yourself and you will see how much better that alone makes you feel. Look at these verses about prayer, and what we should be thinking about. Paul writes in Phil 4:6-9 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."

We see peace, we see how to pray with thanksgiving, we can do a check with our thoughts here. I hope you are encouraged and empowered that through Jesus, we can live in peace during these times and focus on more important things, more excellent things, eternal things. 
Thanks for taking the time to read. Please pass this on to others that may not know that God has given us the tools to live in peace right in His Word. If you have questions or just a comment feel free. Other wise, I'm praying for you all, and hoping in the Lord that you choose to trust. Blessings.