As I have gotten older, there have been more physical challenges.  I have learned the truth of what one of my older friends said years ago.  “I like my body better when it does not remind me it’s there.”

Even Paul talked about the challenges of living in a human body.  The CEB translation describes his words this way.

“So we aren’t depressed. But even if our bodies are breaking down on the outside, the person that we are on the inside is being renewed every day.”

2 Corinthians 4:16

We often think of ourselves as bodies with a spirit.  However, we are really spirits living inside bodies.  Just as people who travel in space wear space suits, we who live on this planet have earth suits.

They are designed to constantly be renewed from the inside out.  Old skin cells fall away.  New ones are waiting underneath to replace them.

According to research, our bodies replace many of their nearly 30 trillion human cells regularly.  About 330 billion of those cells are replaced every day — that’s about 1 percent of all our body’s cells. Other cells, like the tiny ones in our gut, renew within a week.

And yet when we become aware we are about to lose part of our bodies, we panic.  We believe we need every part that was originally issued to us.  

Many fear death because it is the ultimate giving up of all parts of our human body.  But God provides then just as He provides now.  

When any part of the body is released, He has a new part waiting to be revealed.  When our earth suits are removed, God has our new bodies waiting!

So, as I contemplate what seem to be more losses ahead, I know God has something new already in His Plans.  Instead of dreading the release of the old, I will choose to anticipate the new.

Read Paul’s words again.  He understood!

So we aren’t depressed. But even if our bodies are breaking down on the outside, the person that we are on the inside is being renewed every day.

2 Corinthians 4:16

For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

2 Corinthians 4:17

About carolynpriesterjones

Follower of Jesus, Seeker of Truth, Commentator on Life, Light Bearer, Water Carrier, one of God's Creations still under construction

2 responses »

  1. Laura Noe says:

    Your spirit continues to soar
    Thank you for articulating this part of the journey that seems
    To be the hardest …. At least for me
    Love you!

  2. Linda Henry says:

    This message is something I needed to hear. Thank you so much.
    Linda Henry

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