Heb 11 Faith/Attention for Paul

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. — 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

 

As I continue to ponder the idea of "faith as attention", I find this in Paul. The context for 2 Cor 4:16-18 is suffering. Paul's explanation for why he does not lose heart calls to mind the image of a scale. On one side of the scale are his present suffering circumstances, and on the other side of the scale is the reality of his future in heaven. He does not lose heart because for him the glory of his future in heaven outweighs the suffering of his current circumstances. He is paying more attention to that future than he is to his present circumstances.

That is not an easy attitude to adopt. We live in the midst of our circumstances, so they easily capture our attention and can seem much more real to us than a promised future. Seeming more real is having weight and balances that scale toward losing heart. But Paul is able to have the scale balance toward the reality of our promised future, which is indeed glorious.

He talks about suffering in a similar way in Romans 8:18, For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Here again is the image of a scale with the future glory outweighing the present suffering.

I wonder if this is the secret that he talks about in Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. The secret of contentment in a life where we will suffer need is the ability to have our promised future (when we will not lack for anything) capture our attention more than the need that we are currently suffering.

Again, this is a whole lot easier said than done. Some might object that it is not possible for us as bodily creatures to have a promised future be real enough to outweigh our very real suffering. That the only way to do this is to somehow deny the suffering, which is not healthy. And I would agree. We need help. This is where Christ can strengthen us to have this perspective where the future glory outweighs our present circumstances.

We want God to change our present circumstances so that is how we naturally pray and we should continue to pray about our needs. But we also must recognize this future element of our life with God and participate in the process of that future element becoming weightier for us. Spiritual disciplines/practices are a way to connect with the work of the Holy Spirit, who is strengthening us in that process. They help us to pay attention to that element of God's presence so that we are not relying solely on answered prayer for the circumstances of our lives to be aware of God's presence.