Photo by Ksenia Makagonova on Unsplash
GOD’s Word reminds us of HIs eternal perspective on our suffering. Suffering is miserable. We hate it. It seems to last forever. But in light of eternity? It is transient and momentary! Not only that. Eternity will be glorious by comparison. This passage is truly encouraging isn’t it?
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.
II Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV
This is a reminder both of how transient our suffering is and how glorious eternity will be! It definitely helps to be reminded of how our situation fits into the overall scheme of things. That doesn’t mean it isn’t difficult. It may be downright hideous. But by eternal standards, it is described as momentary and transient.
Eternity is described as beyond all comparison…and glorious! How great is that?
And in the meantime? GOD is renewing our inner selves each day…despite the fact that our outer bodies are wasting away. There have been times when my brain was barely able to take in much of anything. I’m so glad that GOD was doing that work of renewing me, because I was NOT able to do it!
The health issues I had at the time made it impossible. I came to appreciate the truth from Scripture, that GOD is the One who is doing the sanctifying work in me. It is not something that I have to instigate. It all comes from Him. It is in His master plan for me. It doesn’t come from my master plan. It is a good thing because I have no natural desire to make many of the deeper changes that need to be made. I have no desire to forgive the unforgivable, to face up to the pride in my life that often rears its ugly head, to acknowledge my own stubbornness in relationships, particularly with my husband, but with others close to me as well. I would rather simply make cosmetic changes as the Pharisees were more likely to do. When the Spirit works does His work in me, I know it will be much more thorough than my work would be, but the results will be more far-reaching. Cosmetically, I may not look much better, but my spirit and heart will be changing. That is a good thing.
Blessings! May the GOD of hope be with you!
