None of us like suffering. Yet God ordains suffering. It cultivates character while here on earth and enables us to partake in a greater union with God for eternity. Paul, who underwent great suffering, therefore, provides encouragement.
“Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 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 Corinthians 4:16-18).
RELEVANCE
Paul shared that there is something far greater to apprehend about the reality of suffering. As God fashions our character through the Holy Spirit, He reveals more and more of about our spiritual identity and nature: who we are in Christ and what being a child of God—joint heir with Christ—is truly about. We also come to greater measures of knowledge of what eternal glory may be like.
“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are” (Romans 8:18-19 NLT).
While such state of future glory surpasses all that you may ever see or know, you can embrace the fact that the kingdom of God is within you (Deuteronomy 30:14; Luke 17:21) and its sweetness will likewise be for eternity. Until then, ask– and praise God– for endurance.
Truly, the Holy Spirit makes the burden light. He wants us to be able to “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
REFLECT AND RELATE
Think about when you were a child and had to endure discipline and punishment. You didn’t like it, but it taught you things you carried forward to build character and make you a better person. God continues to conform you to the image of His Son for greater glory.
REFERENCES
Romans 8:18-22