“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:1–7, NIV)

A part of my recent struggles has been the acute awareness of human frailty and our mortality. It is painful to watch people you love suffer from serious physical ailments. When their emotional and mental capabilities are also waning, it is horrible. To be the one on the outside without any ability to change the situation is heartbreaking. I am in over my head. The problems are more than I can handle.

Thankfully, I know the One that can handle it. I talked to him about it and then I looked into His Word. I read this passage from 2 Corinthians tonight. The thought of burdened bodies that long to be free from pain and suffering resonates with me. There is excitement in thinking about the mortal self being swallowed up not by death and the grave, but by life. It elicits hope, joy and comfort in the face of our mortality.

That comfort comes through the Spirit. So I know that the resurrection and afterlife are real, the Lord indwells me, giving me glimpses future glory. The Holy Spirit works in my heart and life, doing the supernatural. He accomplishes things that would be impossible for me to do in my power or strength. He shows Himself able to accomplish in me what would be impossible without Him. This power working in and through me is only a down payment of the great things to come.

With the Holy Spirit as my guide, my teacher, my comforter and my counselor, I can walk confidently even with mortality looming. I know that the future is bright. So by faith, trusting God, I keep going even when the problems on the horizon loom bigger and bigger. I don’t need to know what is happening. I shouldn’t try to figure it all out. I just need to take the next step and go where God leads. He will provide all that I need to make it through.

So I choose to trust Him. I choose to live by faith.