Though Affliction Remains - iBelieve Truth - January 29, 2024
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)
On New Year’s Eve, in New York, the setup is always the same in Times Square. As everyone anxiously awaits the ball to descend to bring in the New Year, fleeting flashbacks of what the year meant come to mind. Television network stations and radio broadcast stations recap the top breaking news stories to commemorate the closing out of one year as they look to embark on a new one. For the one million people who physically gather in New York and for the billion who are watching the countdown on television, seeing the dawn of a new year is exhilarating. And just like it is during the holiday season, everybody is somebody.
As the ball begins to take its final-minute descent down the flagpole, the countdown starts, and like a choir with one voice, you hear everyone shouting out in the streets and in their homes the last ten seconds in unison: “...10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1, HAPPY NEW YEAR!” Families, friends, and even strangers high-five each other and hug it out. There are tears of joy, uncontrollable laughter, and dancing all around as everyone officially acknowledges that the old year is gone, and the new year is here. Whatever ills consumed our thinking are gone as we forge ahead, letting the heartache of the year take a permanent back seat on December 31st… or so we think.
But when the music stops and everyone turns their attention towards the new year, we recognize there is an affliction from last year still lingering. We must not allow this awareness to inhibit our spirit.
We read in 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV), “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” When I first read this text, I wanted to understand how the Apostle Paul could call these hardships and oppositions light afflictions. Affliction alone sounds dreadful. Paul was merely teaching us to acknowledge that while there is trouble on every side, the way we respond to the suffering will yield an eternal weight of glory. Glory gained through the right relationship with the God of our salvation is the antidote. And while Paul denotes the suffering is brief, we can rejoice knowing God can keep us during every season of difficulty.
Take for instance a diagnosis of cancer. This bad report can cause worry and stress and it can weigh not only on us but on those we love. How about when we suffer torment at the hands of an evildoer? This is weighty because there are moments in time when we want to defend ourselves. But we don’t have to because we can read in the Book of Psalm 37:1-2 where the Word says, ”Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.” I have found great comfort in knowing there is nothing to gain without a little rain and pain every now and again. It would do us good to see our afflictions in the way Paul described them: light.
A new year is not an indication that troubles from the previous year go away. Have you ever experienced being in the middle of one storm and another one ensues? In the natural world, this is known as the Fujiwara effect. This happens when two storms orbit around a shared center point. If this can happen in the natural world there is a possibility it can happen in the spiritual. Spiritual storms can be random, undetectable, and can cause destruction in our spiritual walk with God. I equate the center point of the Fujiwara effect to our relationship with God. In Isaiah 43:2 (NIV), it says: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” No matter the kind of misfortune we find ourselves in, God can, and He will, be our shield, buckler, and defense. When faced with a spiritual attack, you can fight the adversary with the Word of God. Remember, battling the antagonist carnally will generate carnal results.
With each new challenge in our daily walks with Christ, we should always be arriving with a high anticipation of a glorious outcome. If you are not thinking this way, it is not too late to change the way you think. If you were one of the ones counting down the last ten seconds and celebrating bringing in the new year, you have mastered how to place things in their proper perspective. If you are the one who chose to spend the last ten seconds reminiscing over the ache and anguish of the old year and worried about the new year entering, you have given exasperation and infuriation permission to come along for the journey. You do not have to stay in the place that you are in. It is still the beginning of a new year, and you have the power to change your mind. There are wonderful benefits to suffering. The Bible says, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10 NIV). You owe it to yourself to become a benefactor of this promise. Even though the affliction remains, you can celebrate the victory of walking into a new year.
Let Us Pray:
Righteous Father, in the name of Jesus, Lord, I pray for the person reading this devotional. Father God, please provide them with the strength needed to get up from the low place of despair and chaos. Do not allow the cares of life to weigh them down. Help them to see affliction as light and momentary as your Word says that it is. Do not let the reader lose heart or faith any longer. Give rest where there is restlessness and hope where there is hopelessness. I thank you and I praise you for their life and their ability to invest in their relationship with you. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Julia_Sudnitskaya
