In the context the apostle shows us that it is possible to be troubled on every side, perplexed, persecuted, and cast down, and yet not be distressed, in despair, forsaken or destroyed.  God's people need to remember that ultimate victory over all imaginable foes is theirs, and the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.  The final outcome will be inconceivably glorious, and consequently they may view their present afflictions as light and of comparatively short duration.

Their outward man is perishing, but their inward man is being renewed day by day.  The Lord is on their side and will never leave them nor forsake them.  "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalm 30:5).  Hence, they should strive to keep their eye of faith upon the things that the natural eye cannot see---the things that are eternal.  Temporal things often look terribly bleak and disheartening, but the things of God are always glorious and uplifting.

The Lord will not allow one of His children to totally and finally fall away and perish.  It is an utter impossibility because they are preserved in Christ Jesus and called.  Let those of us who have been raised with Christ in regeneration be always seeking those things which are above, "where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God," and let us set our affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  We'll be much happier that way.    ---Elder Ralph Harris