CHANGE YOUR VIEW
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”– 2 Cor.4:17-18
When times are tough, which is most of the time, we need to take action – rather than moan and groan. But what do we do? We can’t always change or control our circumstances, but we can change how we view them and how we respond to them.
One of the best ways to deal with the difficulties of the day is to focus on the future – the exceeding great and precious promises God has given. As the old adage says, “This too shall pass.” In other words, trouble is temporary. For the child of God, the best is yet to come!
Knowing things will change from bad to better to best enables us to endure the experience. Years ago I spent a lot of time traveling, preaching daily. I never enjoyed being away from home, but it was made easier knowing I would soon be home – at least for a few days. Realizing relief lies ahead enables us to endure what we’re passing through. If we spent as much time thinking about our blessings as we do about our burdens we would be a lot better off.
Had Paul focused on his difficulties he would have been doomed to despair, and he knew it. That’s why he refused to focus on the things that are temporal, choosing rather to look upon those things that are eternal. It worked for him and it will work for us. As he said in Rom.8:18 “—the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us!” Indeed – the best is yet to come! – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
