2 Corinthians 4:16-18 -- On Looking Inward

"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
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."
2 Corinthians 4:16-18


I like the idea here is focusing on the eternal, spiritual things rather than the temporary, physical things. ... Definitely not saying it is easy, but if we can work on that focus, then the temporary pains of the "outward man" will matter less and less, as we build our inner selves.

I don't think that God wants us to take it to an extreme and actually not take care of our bodies. It is a good idea to, you know, wash ourselves to stay clean, comb our hair, wear clean clothing, eat food to sustain ourselves, avoid abuse and self-harm... the basics. :) God gave us our bodies so that we could learn to use them and become beings with a physical aspect. However, when we obsess over our bodies and care more about them than about God or our spiritual selves, then we're getting our priorities out of order and emphasizing the natural/animal part of ourselves over the spiritual/godly part of ourselves. Instead, God's way is to teach the physical to obey the spiritual rather than the other way around.

Today, instead of letting our body dictate our choices (which is way too easy to do), let's make sure we're putting our spirits in the driver's seat and learning, and prioritizing, our spiritual needs over our physical.