“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.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
There are people who would have you think that following Jesus means that everything in life will go your way. You won’t get sick. You won’t die young. Your finances will be great. All your relationships will go the way you want. Your career will go through the roof. Every one of your children will go to an Ivy League school on a full scholarship. And all your loved ones will be saved.
Those who preach such false truths (aka, lies) are referred to in 2 Peter 2. They ignore the clear teachings and examples provided throughout the whole of Scripture, and set us up for heartbreak when the inevitable challenges of life rain down upon us.
But there is good news. Great news, actually. Number one – Jesus is enough. Even in the midst of the unthinkable, He is enough. His love is enough. His presence is enough. His promises are enough.
Secondly, everything we go through in this life is temporary. I love the phraseology in the above passage – light momentary affliction. No matter what we face, good or bad, there is “an eternal weight of glory” awaiting us that cannot be compared to anything this life has to offer.
One of the reasons I place so much emphasis on Bible intake in my life is because it is the best way I know of to get my focus off of the temporal and onto the eternal. It is so easy to get sucked into this world and its priorities. So easy. But we must constantly remind ourselves that what matters most are the things we cannot see – the things which are eternal.
If you get a chance today, check out 2 Peter, chapter 2. Then for a pick-me-up (you may need one after that) read the 4th chapter of 2 Corinthians. Or, you can go straight to 2 Corinthians.
No matter what you are facing today, my prayer is that you’ll face it with the hope of eternity in view. Have a wonderful day!
