This past weekend, my husband and I were spending time with family. It was a nice, relaxing time of hanging out and sharing deep conversations. We spoke about our respective plans for the next few years. Of course, we also acknowledged that God is in control, and we all want Him to guide our steps. However, we also spoke about eternal things and how one day we’ll all be in Heaven.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Cor. 4:16-18, NKJV)
In my current stage in my walk with the Lord, this passage from 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 is truly a comfort to me. The title for this Scripture is listed as Seeing the Invisible. That pretty much sums up the message in this passage. Through every minute of your day, you can be an overcomer when you see the invisible.
So, what’s the invisible?
The invisible is all the things that are not seen through the eyes of the flesh but are visible through the eyes of faith. What you see with the eyes of the flesh is temporary. They won’t last. They will fade. Nothing here on earth will last forever. Paul was sharing this to encourage believers to keep going. He wanted them to see God’s Kingdom with their spiritual eyes and realize that the ‘light afflictions’ are only for a moment as compared to the eternal weight of glory.
Okay, so I get it. Many times, these trials we go through don’t seem so light. However, when you see them through your spiritual eyes – and that one day you’ll be in Heaven – that can help you thrive through them, rather than simply only barely surviving through them.
Do not lose heart. I love those four words at the beginning of this passage: do not lose heart. Yes, your outward man is perishing, however, your inward man is being renewed day by day.
That is such a powerful message that I hope you can latch onto. So, the next time you look in the mirror and say, “Man, I’m getting old!” Or the next time you have a hard time getting up from the floor when your child, niece or nephew, or grandchild asks you to play with them, remember that you are being renewed inwardly day by day.
God is working in your life each day. He wants to cultivate a deeper walk with you and Him. Don’t allow your ‘light afflictions’ to get in the way of spending time with Him each day in prayer, Bible reading, and praise. Allow those light afflictions to draw you closer in your walk with the Lord.
Have your ‘light afflictions’ been drawing you closer to the Lord or making you grow apart from Him?
Article syndicated by Mustard Seed Sentinel on Medium.com.
About the Author
J.M. Troppello is an author, writer, and poet. She is the publisher of the online Christian lifestyle magazine, Mustard Seed Sentinel.
