“For our momentary, light suffering is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison because we are not looking at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.” –2 Corinthians 4:17–18
Our God-given dreams will always be attacked by Satan, the greatest enemy of our souls, and by people who do not understand God’s workings in our lives. I have been hurt deeply by family and those I consider family, and the pain one feels when hurt by family is profound and cuts very deeply.
Joseph’s brothers, his very flesh and blood were jealous of what would become if his dreams came true. So they tried to destroy him and his dreams.
Know this, dear sister, your God-given dreams and aspirations cannot be destroyed by anyone. God gave them to you and He is faithful to complete that which He has started in your life. How do I know this?
Let’s look at verses 8 and 9 in today’s Scripture first:
“We are experiencing trouble on every side, but are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair; we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed,”
We will never be crushed by the pain and suffering we go through, even when it comes from the hands of those closest to us. Why? Because God’s Word says so. And I believe God’s Word more than I believe my name is Ebos. We will be confounded by the amount of pain we go through, but we will never be driven to a place of despair or hopelessness. Like Joseph, the Giver of our dreams is alive and watching His Word come to pass. Hallelujah! We will be persecuted because we believe in God and can’t live the way others do, but hold fast my dear, God has not abandoned you. He will not abandon you. He who watches over us never sleeps nor slumbers. The eternal God of Israel is our rock and foundation, our anchor and ever-present help at all times.
“For our momentary, light suffering is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison because we are not looking at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:17–18
When the Apostle Paul used the phrase “light affliction” he was in no way trying to trivialize the suffering. He was comparing it to the reward and glory we will receive when all is said and done. My pain right now is nothing compared to the beauty God will bring out of it.
Who would have thought that Joseph would become the second most powerful man in Egypt? He was betrayed and sold into slavery by his brothers, accused of adultery by a woman, thrown into prison, and forgotten by someone who should have helped him. But when it was time, God, in all His glory, showed up. Joseph looked nothing like his pain, suffering, and past. So much so that even His brothers did not recognize him.
That is the God we serve. He doesn’t take your pain lightly. He sees your sufferings and He knows what to do. What He will bring your way will be far above comparison. Forgive those who hurt you, and take your eyes away from the pain and suffering by focusing on God’s Word and promises. If He said it, then He will do it. Let us hold, on for we will be compensated mightily on this side of eternity and, as today’s SOAP verses assure us, we are sure of eternity with Him where there will be no more tears, pain, suffering, and sorrow.
God is on your side. You are not alone. Ask Him to open up your spiritual eyes so that you can see things from His view. That way, you will be comforted to keep pressing on.
God, in moments like this, I feel like staying in Your presence and not going anywhere or doing another thing because Your Word has filled my heart with hope, assurance, and joy. Thank you for Your Word. Help us focus on You, despite what we see or feel. Open our eyes to see our sufferings from Your perspective, and may we be comforted and comfort others. We love You. Amen.
