That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are 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. – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NLT)
These final three verses in 2 Corinthians 4 are sometimes difficult to read. At first glance it may seem like Paul is minimizing the pain we may feel during our struggles and trials. However, I don’t think that’s the case here. There are many instances in Scripture where a person’s deep sorrow and pain is acknowledged and affirmed (the entire book of Job and Lamentations, for example). The Bible even acknowledges the deep grief and loss a woman feels when she’s unable to conceive (Proverbs 30:15-16). However, Paul does remind us of the proper perspective we should have when looking at our trials and troubles in light of eternity. Let’s take a look at two ways we can shift our perspective:
Trials can lead to the renewal of our inner selves.
It’s cliche, but every knows that trials can bring about positive change in ourselves, if we allow it. That’s not to say that we wouldn’t trade those changes for an easier road, but the knowledge that good things can come from our trials can be of some comfort to us. In spiritual terms, trials can bring us closer to God and increase our knowledge of Him. They give us more opportunities to experience His love and his mercies.
There are unseen things, and they are the most important.
Verse 18 tells us that there are things which cannot be seen. According to one commentary I read, this does not just refer to heaven. It can mean that there are good things in store for us in the future. When we focus on them, our current troubles become lighter and are put in better perspective.
Keeping our hearts and focused on these two perspectives can help us endure the sorrows and troubles that come our way. We may not find complete, immediate relief, but we can be comforted and encouraged knowing that we are being renewed and strengthened, and we will only suffer for a short time in comparison to eternity.
How do you feel about these verses? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
Image courtesy of Boss Fight.
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