In review of 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 it says,“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever” (NLT).
It's easy to lose heart and quit. I have faced problems in my relationships or in my work that have caused me to think about giving up. Rather than quitting when persecution wore him down, Paul concentrated on experiencing the inner strength that came from the Holy Spirit. I shouldn't let fatigue, pain, or criticism force me off the job. Instead, I need to renew my commitment to service Christ. Don’t forsake eternal rewards because of the intensity of today's pain. My very weakness allows the resurrection power of Christ to strengthen me moment by moment.
My trouble should not diminish my faith or disillusion me. I need to realize that there is a purpose in suffering. Problems and human limitations have several benefits: (1) They remind me of Christ's suffering 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. Begin to see my troubles as opportunities!
The ultimate hope when experiencing 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 and suffering can help me live above the pain that I may face in life.
So why do bad things happen to good people? Why do we have to suffer? Why is life so difficult sometimes? As difficult as it is to understand, God can use your pain for his purpose. Don’t be surprised if he is using tough times in your life to test your faithfulness.
Faithful people keep on keeping on when other people choose to give up. Faithful people are diligent and determined. They are persistent. They change their perspective and focus on God’s promises in his Word.
In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul says you need to get the right perspective when you’re going through a problem. If you want to persist, don’t look at the temporary problem. Look at the long-term reward. Don’t look at the temporary pain; look at the long-term gain. Don’t look at it with the short-term view, “What’s happening to me right now?” Instead, look at the character that you are building because you haven’t given up. You’re hanging in there.
God is more interested in what I am becoming than what I accomplish.
If you are facing difficult times right now, I challenge you to write this verse on a 3x5 card and memorize it: “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9 NLT).
Use this as encouragement to keep me going. God is working in me and for me, at just the right time and in just the right ways. I’ll will be rewarded for my faithfulness!
In summary, never give up. My body may be dying, but my spirit is being renewed every day. My present troubles are quite small and won't last very long, yet they will produce for me a glory that will vastly outweigh them and last forever. So don't focus on the trouble I can see now, rather fix my gaze on that which cannot be seen. What I see today will be gone and things I cannot see will last forever. It's easy to lose heart and quit. I need to renew my commitment to service Christ. Don't forsake eternal rewards because of today's pain. There is a purpose in suffering; they remind me of what Christ suffered for me, keep me from pride, cause me to look beyond this life, give me opportunities to prove my faith to others and give God the opportunity to demonstrate his power. This life is not all there is. God can use my pain for his purposes. Don't be surprised if he is using tough times in my life to test my faithfulness. God is more interested in what I am becoming than what I accomplish. God is working in me and for me, at just the right time and in just the right ways. I'll be rewarded for my faithfulness.
As I focus on my life today I thank you God for this reminder that you use what happens in my life to build my character and faith. I pray today that you help me keep the right perspective. Help me to focus on what you are building into me for the future. There is a purpose in what you are doing. I ask for your wisdom and guidance for my day, for my leadership and my interaction with others. I pray these things through your Son Jesus name, amem.
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