In review of 2 Corinthians 4:18 it say, “For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever” (GNT).
Any troubles I have today or even in the future should not diminish my faith or disillusion me. I’m learning that there is purpose and benefits in my problems and suffering: (1) They remind me of suffering Christ faced for me; (2) they keep me from pride; (3) they cause me to look beyond this brief life; (4) they give me opportunities to prove my faith to others; and (5) they give God the opportunity to demonstrate his power in my situation. I can see my troubles as opportunities. And the ultimate hope I can have whenever I experience terrible illness, persecution, or pain is the realization that this life is not all there is. There is life after death. Knowing that I will live forever with God in a place without sin, trouble, or suffering should help me live above any pain that I face in this life.
As I strive to reach the goals that God has given me, it’s important to remember that my life on earth is just a temporary assignment. This truth should radically alter my values and fix my attention on the things that are going to be eternally important.
It would be a fatal mistake for me to assume that God’s goal for my life is material prosperity or popular success as the world would define it. An abundant life has nothing to do with material abundance. Even my faithfulness to God does not guarantee success in a career or even in ministry. I should never place my focus on temporary crowns.
In the Bible, I find that Paul was faithful, yet he ended up in prison. John the Baptist was faithful, but he was beheaded. Millions of faithful people have been martyred, have lost everything, or have come to the end of life with nothing to show for it. But the end of life on earth is not the end!
Today’s verse from 2 Corinthians 4:18 reminds me, “For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever” (GNT).
When life gets tough, when I’m overwhelmed with doubt, or when I wonder if living for Christ is worth the effort, remember that I’m not home yet. At death I won’t leave home, I’ll ending up going home.
Bottom Line:
Don’t focus and be fixated on problems we have today, rather think about what we will get that will last.
What this means to me:
I am to focus my attention not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what I see today is only temporary, but what is unseen will be forever.
In summary, the troubles I face shouldn't discourage me. There is purpose and benefits from them (they remind me how Christ suffered, keep me from pride, cause me to look beyond this life, give me an opportunity to show and prove my faith to others - witness, and give God an opportunity to do his work). Material prosperity and success according the world's standard should not be my goal. Even my faithfulness will not guarantee success in this life.
Father as I reflect, seems I’ve been given lots of troubles and difficult situations in my current role, many more than I expected. I know that you have a purpose in them. I truly want to learn from them and from some of the failures and successes I’ve had. I ask you for your wisdom and guidance as I do my work today. Help me to accomplish your will through what I do. As opportunities come up, I will trust that your will for me will be done. In your Son Jesus name I pray, amen.
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