4 November | EVERYONE
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4: 17,18
As we walk in this world of pain and trials, we will go through what Paul calls "momentary tribulation." It is inevitable. Suffering has been the daily bread of human beings since the tragic day when sin entered the world. But if we trust in God, pain is far from destroying but "is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
To understand this message correctly, it is useful to go back a few verses, where Paul says, "but we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us" (2 Corinthians 4:7). That excellence is His, not ours. We are earthen vessels. But what really matters is not the container but the treasure it contains. Once we are aware of our inadequacy and of God's power, suffering will not seem to us the end of the road but only a circumstantial accident that is allowed to facilitate the transformation of our character.
With this attitude, no matter how much we suffer, we will not become distressed; we will be in trouble, but we will not despair; we may even be persecuted, but we will not feel helpless. Life can knock us down, but it can never destroy us. Why? For we will no longer live looking only at "the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
Take Action
God does not want you to suffer, but He allows it as long as you remain in this world so that, living in Christ, the "weight of glory" may be produced in you. That is, your character may be renewed. Until you care much more about "things which are not seen" than "things which are seen." Sing "The Things Which Are Not Seen" (if possible, with your family).