Difficulties in life can so easily blind me from seeing the bigger picture that I am involved in. Over and over again I must reposition my perspective from these momentary afflictions towards eternity. Oh my, how difficult this is to do in the heat of a moment or under the weight of emotions!
My husband and I are meeting some challenges in parenting our little boy and feeling both overwhelmed and excited at the thought of bringing our second child home in a few months time. It truly does feel as if these specific parenting struggles are our new reality…that they will not end…and things will never get any easier. In all honesty, hope has been in short supply in my heart over the past few months.
But God is so faithful and kind. The Lord brought this passage, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, to my attention during a very difficult day after I told Him (through many tears), “How can I do all of this again tomorrow, God?” Let’s take a look at those verses:
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
I suppose you could say that this passage has been my victory song through the specific affliction I am in. I insert my name into these verses and pray them over my mind and heart before the day begins and many times through it as well. I believe there is power in Scripture, so reading it out loud and praying it over a situation is a weapon against the struggles for me.
As I pondered 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, I felt a prompting to turn the page back and read the preceding verses to gain context. And then the Lord supplied me with even more abundance of encouragement…
“But we have thus treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…”
2 Corinthians 4:7-9
So, friend, I do not know what kind of affliction you are experiencing at this moment, but our Heavenly Father does. Please know that He sees you, knows you, and desires to be your strength and help if you will only let Him. Reach out for His hand and He will hold you closely.
I hope you can take some time to read these verses for yourself in the context they were written in. There truly is power in the Word of God over all circumstances, so claim these verses over your mind and heart. I pray that we may all remember that these are just “momentary afflictions” that simply fade in comparison to the reality of eternity with Jesus.
This season will pass. Look to Jesus for hope and strength.
Find More Encouragement
- Bible Verses About Love
- Rest for the Weary | Billy Graham
- 10 Bible Verses for Seasonal Depression
- If it Had Not Been for The Lord
- The Unrivaled Power of Prayer
- God’s Silence
- Be in God’s Stride
How encouraging! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you for reading!