One of the most encouraging portions of Scripture can be found in (2 Corinthians 4:16-18): “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 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.”
The reason why this section of the Bible is so encouraging is that it helps us place the afflictions, that all of us will have to endure in this life, into their proper perspective. And having the proper perspective on affliction is critical to our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. My friends the afflictions of life can either destroy us or help us to see them as opportunities to glorify our Lord and conform us more into the image of Christ. In the remainder of this devotion I would like to focus on the time element and the intensity element of affliction.
The time element
While some afflictions may be permanent, like physical blindness, they are in reality only temporary, since we know when we reach glory we will receive a glorified body and perfect health! Notice in our Scripture verses above that our afflictions are “but for a moment” when measured against eternity. If we view life as consisting of only our time between birth and death then life as I shared in an earlier devotion this week can seem totally unfair. But praise God we have an eternal soul that one day will jettison these afflictions and take on perfection and eternal joy and bliss. So Christian be encouraged that time is on our side.
The intensity element
A. W. Pink shared his wonderful insight on the intensity element that we can expect to receive if we are willing to endure the afflictions that come our way. According to Pink: “Afflictions are light when compared with what we really deserve. They are light when compared with the sufferings of the Lord Jesus. But perhaps their real lightness is best seen by comparing them with the weight of glory which is awaiting us.”1 This comparison is quite stark. On the one hand we have the afflictions of life, which at their worst can only last perhaps 60 or 70 years. But if we allow God to work through and with them they will produce “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” I don’t know about you but the idea of receiving an eternal weight of glory is so intense that my finite mind can’t even begin to comprehend how awesome this will be! No wonder the Apostle Paul proclaimed: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18).
So the next time you are facing a difficult trial, rejoice that it is only temporary, and that God will use it, if we let Him, to bring glory to His name and an eternal weight of glory to our heavenly bank account!