This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (2 Cor. 4:17).

When a child is born, the precious new life is cause for rejoicing that we should all sense and share. 

But imagine that someone tried to dampen our joy by saying, “I’m sorry. This child has a very fair complexion and is likely to be burned by the sun or chapped by the wind in days to come.” 

The parents would respond, “The wonder of this new life and the joys our child will experience in years to come far outweigh such temporary afflictions. We will not let our joy be lessened by what will soon pass. 

In this same way, Christians rejoice in the wonder of our new life in Christ and the glory that we will experience in the life to come. The eternal joys that are ours (pardon of sin, restoration of bodies, reunion with loved ones, life with Jesus) far outweigh our very real, but still temporary, afflictions.

No matter how difficult your present reality is, don’t let it blind you to the eternal realities whose glory far outweighs your temporary afflictions.  

Prayer:
Father, I rejoice that you saved me from sin and also made me your child to receive eternal blessings. While I live on earth, help me to focus more on the eternal glories that await me than the temporary afflictions that weigh on me.