
2 Corinthians 4:17-18, “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” NLT
Have recent trials like physical pain, relationship struggles, someone’s harsh and hurtful words, financial hardships, or unmet dreams tested your faith? During these times, if we focus on eternal life instead, gives us hope beyond the current pain. Our true identity needs to be in Christ, not in our suffering, because as Paul teaches in 2 Corinthians, we find our strength and purpose in serving Jesus, which helps us persevere and focus on our eternal future.
Paul stated in 2 Corinthians 4:13, “But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” Paul referenced Psalm 116:10, where the psalmist referenced his faith and trust in God amidst affliction, which he quoted in writing the church in Corinth to encourage and instruct them in their faith: “I believed in you, so I said, “I am deeply troubled, LORD.” That was a worshipful response, in trust in God, amidst afflictions. Speaking God’s Word to ourselves opens the transformative power, authority, and continuity of Scripture, poured into our hearts and minds.
We all have human limitations and trials, as Paul did, who experienced physical pain, frequent imprisonment, constant dangers, and emotional and spiritual struggles. Yet Paul’s strategy was to fix his eyes on Jesus rather than on the problem, because it was a means to have spiritual growth and participation in Christ’s sufferings (Rom. 5:3-4; 2 Cor. 1:5). God is still good. God is still faithful. Hebrews 12:2 gives us Paul’s strategy: “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
So dear reader, don’t give up. Keep on keeping on in living for Christ and for His glory. That is where your identity resides. Persevere faithfully, fixing your hope not on this life, which will have an ending, but the life to come that is unending. Seek proper medical treatments as needed, a Christian friend you trust, or financial advisors when needed, and pray for God to provide the needed wisdom and discernment for your situation as you read His Word. God is using what you are going through or will go through. Your Savior, Jesus Christ, experienced intense pain and suffering for you. He understands your suffering. Preach the gospel to yourself every day to be reminded of that fact. “Fix your gaze on the things that cannot be seen” – your future up in Glory.
I like how The Message paraphrases 2 Cor. 4:16-18, “So we are not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, and gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.”
Listen to God, Please Give Me Peace – Phil Wickham









