“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).
Hank had been complaining about the stitches in his left hand. He was annoyed, and everyone had heard about how hard a time he was having with it. Those stitches were uncomfortable. They were keeping him from doing everything that he wanted to do. “They are the worst thing that anyone could ever have to put up with!” he said to his wife as they walked through the grocery store. Then they approached the checkout where they met a man and his daughter. The man’s legs were horribly twisted, and he made his way along slowly, with great effort, on crutches. As this man approached, he spotted Hank’s bandaged hand. “Sorry, friend, about your accident. You must be in lots of pain.” Hank looked at the crutches, and without even meaning to he glanced down at the man’s twisted legs. Hank stammered as he tried to answer, “Ah. Um. Ah, what I mean to say is that it’s nothing, really.” The man replied, “Well, we all have something to deal with, don’t we? As for me, because I know the Lord, I can honestly say that my outward man is perishing, but my inward man is getting stronger every day. Do you know the Lord?” Hank was stunned. What a good perspective on his situation.
For today: Lord, please help me not to grumble about my outward man that is perishing. Help me to focus on You!