"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." (2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV)

What? "Light and momentary troubles?" The Apostle Paul couldn't have known what it is to live with chronic pain. He couldn't have known what it is to live in today's world. After all, if he really understood he wouldn't have used those words. If it were me, I might have written, "For our unrelenting and debilitating troubles…"

But, let's not focus on those words. Look at the whole verse … these "light and momentary troubles achieve for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." The fact is that whether our troubles are "light and momentary" or "unrelenting and debilitating", they are fulfilling a purpose in our lives—achieving for us an eternal glory.

The Apostle Paul goes on to say, "So we fix our eyes on not what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (v. 18)

That's the key for us on the good days and on the bad, during the "light and momentary troubles" and the "unrelenting and debilitating" troubles. Our eyes MUST be fixed, not on what is seen but what is unseen—not on our troubles but on the "eternal glory" that awaits us.

Admittedly this isn't always easy to do. But let's remember that "what is seen is temporary" and "what is unseen is eternal." Our pains and disabilities are temporary relative to eternity. This life is but a fleeting moment compared to eternity. The "unseen" that awaits us will be worth all the "light and momentary" and "unrelenting and debilitating" troubles we have experienced as well as those yet to come.

Let's fix our eyes, not on our troubles but on the cross of Jesus and His power to redeem us from this life. He purchased our salvation so one day the "unseen" will be our reward.

Father, there are days my troubles seem more than I can bear. Give me the courage to go on with my eyes fixed not on "what is seen, but on what is unseen". In Jesus' name, amen.

© 2008 Jan Ross
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