In reading 2 Corinthians 4:17 it says, “These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all of our troubles seem like nothing.” (CEV)
I should not let my present troubles diminish my faith or disillusion me. I need to realize that there is purpose in my troubles. My problems and limitations have several benefits: (1) they can remind me of Christ's suffering for me; (2) they can 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. Learn to see troubles as opportunities!
What I’m learning is that God uses everything, even the pandemic, to help my character grow. He uses problems to help me mature. James writes it like this: “My brothers and sisters, be very happy when you are tested in different ways. You know that such testing of your faith produces endurance. Endure until your testing is over. Then you will be mature and complete, and you won’t need anything” (James 1:2-4 GW).
I may feel tired and depleted right now because of how troubles are affecting my life and the lives of those around me. This is the time to look to God, to continue to place my hope in him, and to trust that he is still in control.
He is a God of hope, and his hope will not disappoint. Given time, I’ll see that God can use my troubles to make me stronger and to develop my spiritual muscle.
In Romans 8:28, the Bible teaches, “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (NLT).
God’s purpose for me here on earth, is to prepare me for eternity. This life is preparation for the next. We’re in the warm-up act right now! I’m only here for less than a hundred years, but I’ll be in eternity for trillions upon trillions of years, and even then I’m just getting started!
Today’s problems get me ready for an eternity I can’t even imagine right now.
That’s what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:17: “These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all of our troubles seem like nothing” (CEV).
Today’s problems may seem to be a heavy burden. But they’ll seem like nothing in heaven.
I need to hang on to that hope, especially when I feel weary, overwhelmed, or just plain ready to give up. God is preparing me for eternity with him in heaven!
In summary, my troubles are getting me ready for eternal glory. Therefore, I should not let my present troubles diminish my faith or disillusion me. I need to realize that there is purpose in my troubles and they have several benefits: they remind me of Christ's suffering for me, keep me from pride, cause me to look beyond now, give me opportunities to prove my faith to others, and give God the opportunity to demonstrate his power. Learn to see troubles as opportunities! God uses everything, to help my character grow. He uses problems to help me mature. No matter how tired and depleted I feel, I need to look to God, to continue to place my hope in him, and to trust that he is still in control. God’s purpose for me here on earth, is to prepare me for eternity. This life is preparation for the next. I’m only here for less than a hundred years, but I’ll be in eternity forever. Today’s problems get me ready for an eternity I can’t even imagine right now. Even though today’s problems may seem to be a heavy burden, they’ll seem like nothing later on in heaven. So I need to hang on to that hope, for God is preparing me for eternity with him in heaven!
Thank you Father for this study/reminder this morning. I know that even though I have given up hope in my current situation, that you are working to build and prepare me. I just need to continue to lean on you and trust your plan for me, including what work / job role you have planned for me. With your help I want to finish strong and bring glory to you. I pray for an answer soon on my next role, but I know I just need to be patient and do my part. I ask you to help me when disappointment comes, remind me of your bigger picture for me. I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. These things I pray in your Son Jesus’ name, amen!
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