July 22
A Light
and Momentary Trouble
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
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.
Daily Steps
When suffering feels heavy and long-lasting, the new believer needs an eternal perspective to maintain peace. This passage provides the final, essential comparison: our troubles are light and momentary when compared to eternal glory.
The peace in this perspective is found in divine comparison:
The Understated Nature of Pain: God's Word deliberately downplays the present pain, calling it "our light and momentary troubles." This is a purposeful statement that shifts your focus from the intensity of the trial to its duration and purpose (Day 192).
The Overwhelming Weight of Glory: The pain is contrasted with the reward: "an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." The future glory is permanent, immeasurable, and so massive that it renders the present trouble insignificant in comparison. This comparison makes the endurance of suffering entirely rational.
The Command to See: The path to peace is simple: "we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen." What is seen (trials) is temporary; what is unseen (eternal glory, Day 185) is eternal. By deliberately choosing to focus on the spiritual and the future, the believer ensures inner tranquility.
Your peace in suffering is secured by eternal perspective. View your current difficulties as light and momentary troubles that are actively achieving for you an eternal glory of immeasurable weight.
Reflective Question
If you could place your current trouble on one side of a scale and eternal glory on the other, how would the scale tip? What is one specific, unseen truth (like Christ's presence, Day 202, or the Unshakable Kingdom, Day 191) can you fix your eyes on today?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess my tendency to let present pain blind me to future reality. I pray for the spiritual vision to see my current difficulty as a light and momentary trouble.
Help me to fix my eyes on the unseen truth that this suffering is achieving for me an eternal glory that far outweighs it all. Secure my peace today through this eternal perspective. Amen.
