Choose Short-Term Pain for Long-Term Gain

In Hebrews 11:25 it says,“[Moses] chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.” (NIV)

To be all God wants me to be, I need to choose short-term pain for long-term gain. I’ve got to practice and work hard in order to play in a championship game. I can’t just walk out and compete for the title. If I’m going to be good at anything, I’ve got to accept short-term pain for long-term gain. It’s the same in finances and relationships, as well. 

Why is this resolution important in life? Because most problems come from the inability to delay gratification. Society teaches us to say, “I want everything and I want it now and I want it free and I want it easy.” Well unfortunately, life doesn’t work like that!

Moses made a choice: “He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25 NIV).

This verse says he chose to be mistreated, to endure the short-term pain for the long-term gain of doing the right thing.

I’ll experience pain in life. But if I choose to do the hard thing right now and put in the effort and discipline to learn, grow, become strong, and mature, then later in life I’ll get to benefit from all of it.

When I choose the short-term pain like Moses did, I’m going to see God deliver me so that I can enjoy the long-term reward.

In summary, Moses chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. To be all God wants me to be, I too need to choose short-term pain for the long-term gain. I’ve got to practice and work hard. I can’t just walk out and compete. Why is this resolution important? Because most problems come from the inability to delay gratification. Society teaches us to want everything and get it now, free and easy.” Unfortunately, life doesn’t work like this. This verse points out that Moses made a choice: he chose to be mistreated, to endure the short-term pain for the long-term gain of doing the right thing. I’ll experience pain in life. But if I choose to do the hard thing right now and put in the effort and discipline to learn, grow, become strong, and mature, then later in life I’ll get to benefit from all of it. When I choose the short-term pain like Moses did, I’m going to see God deliver me so that I can enjoy the long-term reward.

I need to get over the desire to want everything fast and easy. I’ll need to hold off on the short term pleasures for the bigger and long term picture. Father, I ask you for wisdom, guidance and the ability to hold off on immediate desires. These things I pray in your Son Jesus’ name, amen.