A Little Perspective
16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Tommy's Thoughts:
A disappointed friend recently questioned me why God didn’t interfere and help her in her problem. She felt angry and troubled by why her sincere prayers were not answered. She said God doesn’t really care and that He hasn’t bring any good before in her life. She asked what good is a God when He can’t do anything for me? She doubts that this whole God-thing is merely an illusion.
I’ve tried my best to tactfully explain but I don’t think she is accepting it right now. I know I’ve no right to invalidate the sufferings she’s going through. It is real and painful. I understand well that it’s easy to lose heart and quit when things just go wrong all the time.
But, we shouldn’t let troubles fill us with bitterness and resentment until it diminishes our faith and disillusions us entirely. Although it’s hard sometimes to think that there is a divine purpose, it’s when we need to humbly seek God daily for His grace to help us gain a proper perspective to our sufferings. That this sufferings will reminds us of Christ’s own suffering for us, keeping us from pride, refocuses our thoughts on great things beyond this life and gives God opportunity to mold and build our character.
Dear Lord, I would like to pray for my dear friend to be able to see and know Your love and care for her one day. That You will teach her to concentrate on experiencing the inner strength from the Holy Spirit when the going get tough. Teach her to be ready and willing to renew her commitment to serve Christ daily, allowing the resurrection power of Christ to strengthen her moment by moment. Thank You and I pray all these in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Bee's Thoughts:
Tonight's devotion is a good reminder on thinking long term instead of short term gain. Even people in the business world also know that "no pain, no gain" and they have long term plans.
As Christians, sometimes we too may get discouraged when things happen in ways that are unfair to us. Yet Paul is encouraging us that we should be steadfast in our Christian values and attitude, knowing that our rewards are in heaven. The "unseen" has far greater value and with "eternal glory" than what can be seen (v18). This is also true for things with commercial values.
Dear Lord,
Help me to always have the right perspective in life. Though sometimes things look discouraging to my naked eyes, help me not to lose hope in Your eternal glory. Teach me to value what is "unseen" in life too, such as, a person's character and virtues and not the external look.
Yes, I like to join in prayer for Tommy's dear friend that she will experience and understand Your interventions in her life. That at times things happen to her to show that she can't do anything without Christ. And perhaps things happened so that she can get to know another wonderful person in her life who can be her best friend. May she experience Your peace as she cry to You.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
