(The following is the August 3 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read 2 Corinthians 4 and pay close attention to verses 16-18.)
What afflictions have you suffered? Have you faced physical disabilities, disease, broken relationships, or lost loved ones? Have others taken advantage of you or victimized you through crime? Do economic hardships or persecution bring recurring burdens? Are some afflictions a consequence of your past sins and bad choices? There are countless reasons for our troubles, but there is good news for Christians. This earthly life is not the end of our story. A different and immeasurably better chapter is ahead for all who know Christ.
Paul encouraged the Corinthian church: “Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (vv. 16-18).
Paul was well acquainted with afflictions, having suffered much for his faith. Yet he described his woes as a “momentary light affliction” compared to the Spirit’s present work and our eventual eternity in Christ’s presence. Paul is an excellent example of refusing to focus on what is wrong in this life. Instead, he remained mindful of God’s promises not yet realized, and so should we.
Christ may remove some afflictions from us in this life. He may leave them in place to draw us closer to him in humility and faith. Whichever path he chooses, we can rejoice that our troubles are light and temporary in God’s grand scheme. An eternity without these problems and with Christ is coming, and that is cause for rejoicing.
Next Step:
What troubles in this life burden you? Thank God in prayer that each of these will one day disappear. Do you know someone facing difficult circumstances who needs to hear this encouraging promise?
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