It Is Only Temporary

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NIV)

Raise your hand if you have nothing in your life that bothers you; no troubles, no stresses, no worries. I would guess there is really no one who can raise their hand. Troubles are all around – all over the place. Even if you don’t have major troubles today, you know someone who does or you can see them on the news. God’s promise in this verse is very subtle.  He says our pains are short-lived compared to what they are producing in our lives. For the troubles we have today, we are building a character for eternity. Life is sometimes downright hard but don’t focus on that. Focus on Jesus and the future that he is building within you. Your present troubles may pass away, but your future is sure.

–Elaine Kapetanakis