Paul describes the tension of outer-person decay and inner-person renewal happening simultaneously. The sufferings feel heavy in the moment, but put on an eternal scale they are 'light and momentary' — and they are producing eternal weight of glory.

The outward decay we experience is the very context in which inward renewal happens — and our troubles, compared to what they are producing, are light and temporary on the eternal scale.

Imagine a caterpillar in a cocoon — from outside it looks like everything is falling apart. But inside, something magnificent is being formed. What looks like wasting away is actually the process of becoming. Our outward struggles are like that cocoon — while we feel pressed and worn, God is forming something glorious on the inside.

Lord, I will not lose heart. Though I feel worn down on the outside, You are renewing me on the inside day by day. Thank You that my troubles are producing a glory I can't yet see. Keep renewing me. Amen.