Outwardly We Are Wasting Away, But We Do not Lose Heart (2 Cor 4:16) Finding Blessings in Trials

In 2 Corinthians 4:16 Paul wrote that, "Outwardly we are wasting away." When you feel like your body is wasting away it’s understandably very tempting to focus on the trial. I would like to encourage you, as difficult as it can be at times, to look for the blessings. I think you’ll be surprised by two things:
1. First, the number of things you can find to be thankful for even in the midst of trials.
2. Second, how much better you will feel after thinking about these blessings and giving thanks for them.

This is completely biblical to give thanks no matter what we are experiencing. There are many verses I could give you. Here are three:
1. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 GIVE THANKS in ALL circumstances (including our bodies wasting away); for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
2. Philippians 4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything (including our bodies wasting away) by prayer and supplication WITH THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known to God.
3. Ephesians 5:20 GIVING THANKS ALWAYS AND FOR EVERYTHING (including our bodies wasting away) to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

When your body starts to waste away it seems like a real attack on what’s most important to you, because our bodies allow us to do all the things we want to do. And this can, understandably, be very difficult for us.

I want to encourage you with this truth. God is taking away something that we have put security in, perhaps for much of our lives, because He wants to be our security. Our security should be bound up in what Christ has done for us, and when we put our security in something else, it’s a blessing when God removes that. It’s almost like we have an idol that God reaches in and takes it out.

View all of pastor Scott LaPierre's books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Scott-LaPierre/e/B01JT920EQ

Receive a free copy of Pastor Scott's book, "Seven Biblical Insights for Healthy, Joyful, Christ-Centered Marriages": https://www.scottlapierre.org/subscribe/

For Scott LaPierre's conference and speaking information, including testimonies, endorsements, and contact info, please visit: https://www.scottlapierre.org/conferences-and-speaking/

Here's the accompanying podcast episode: https://www.scottlapierre.org/outwardly-we-are-wasting-away/

If invited for a speaking engagement, you can expect:
• Professionally prepared and delivered messages
• A handout with lessons and discussion questions
• Copies of Pastor Scott's books to offer as gifts to increase registrations (if you desire)
• Advertising of your event on Scott's website and social media (if you desire)
• Facebook ads and/or a Facebook event page so the event can serve as an outreach (if you desire)
• Prompt responses to any communication
• Prompt replies to phone calls, emails, and/or text messages

00:00 Sermon Lessons for When Our Bodies Waste Away

When our bodies waste away:

05:18 Lesson 1: God is ____________ ____________ from us (2 Corinthians 4:16, Job 1:20, 2 Samuel 21:15-17, 1 Kings 1:1).

17:19 Lesson 2: ________ ______ blessings.

33:40 Lesson 3: ________ ____________ for the blessings (1 Thessalonians 5:18, Philippians 4:6, Ephesians 5:20).

45:30 Lesson 4: God wants to be ______ ________________ (Job 2:4).

Family Worship Guide for Outwardly We Are Wasting Away

Day 1: Read 2 Corinthians 4:16, Job 1:20, 2 Samuel 21:15-17, 1 Kings 1:1 and discuss: what was taken away from Job during his trials? What was taken away from David when his body wasted away? What are some of the things you can see God taking away from us when our bodies waste away? Try to give examples from your own life: what has God taken away from you as your body is wasting away?

Day 2: Read 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Philippians 4:6, Ephesians 5:20, and discuss: why should we look for blessings when our bodies waste away? What are some blessings you have experienced as your body has wasted away, or what are some blessings you can imagine experiencing as your body wastes away? Why should we give thanks for the blessings we can see when our bodies waste away? God is worthy of our thanks and praise regardless of what we are experiencing, but why does it benefit us to give thanks for blessings when our bodies waste away?

Day 3: Read Job chapters 1 and 2 and discuss: what do you see people putting their security in? Be honest: what do you put your security in? How would you respond if God takes away whatever your security is bound up in? Why did Satan think Job would curse God when his body was afflicted? In other words, what is so bad about physical suffering, versus mental or emotional suffering?