"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE IN A TRIAL/ADVERSITIES"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE IN A TRIAL/ADVERSITIES"

2nd Cor 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

2nd Cor 4:18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, and a prayer:

(Someone called what you will read below, the Three "T's" about trials.)

1. If you look at what Paul said just before he said in our two scriptures today, you would find that he was describing in great detail the subject of trials, and listed some that he went through himself. In fact later in this letter he gives us even more detail of the trials/adversities/temptations, that he went through. 

2. Before we get into the detail of what Paul said, let's just look at a simple Biblical definition of a trial. Trials are also called tribulations, and hardships, and temptations,  in the Bible. We are allowed by God to experience these trials so that God can strengthen or test our faith. It is the process that He uses to help us grow, to make our faith stronger, and to teach us to trust Him more. 

3. Jesus spoke about trials in a very straightforward manor.  John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Essentially, Jesus was saying that the things He had been teaching them were designed to help them have peace. Because living in this world, His followers would have tribulations, but they were to be of good cheer, because He has overcome the world. The verse below gives a little more insight into what Jesus meant. 

John 16:33  I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” NLT

4. . But in the 2nd Cor 4:17-18, Paul gives us three very important truths about trials/adversities. 

(1) Trials are trivial compared to the sufferings of Christ, and the glory we will have in heaven. 2nd Cor 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
While trials, hardships and temptations can seem overwhelming to us, they look small when you compare them with what our Lord Jesus went through for us, and with the glory that God has planned for us in heaven. 

(2) Trials are temporary compared to the eternity that God has planned for us in the future. 2nd Cor 4:18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Paul's approach to life, and it can be ours also, is to keep things in perspective. We go through trials, temptations, and adversities and hardships now, but one day, we are going to go to heaven. There are things temporary, the things we can see now on this earth. But, there are things not seen also. The things we can see are temporary, but the things that we cannot see are eternal. And eternal life has been given to us through our faith in Jesus Christ, and we will enter into that eternal existence with God when we leave this earth. 

(3) Trials are transforming. they cause us to be more like God's Son Jesus Christ. Again, please notice what's said in 2nd Cor 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
God uses these trials to transform us. We see the transformation taking place down here, in our character and growth, and we will realize it completely when we get to heaven. So, God is at work in our lives through the trials, the temptations, and the adversities that He allows. And His goal in all of them, is to conform us into the image of Christ. 

A prayer:

Father, You never waste anything You do in or allow in our lives. You have a goal in mind. Your Word is so clear about this. And, we thank You for using the difficulties of life for our Good. Your Word encourages us and gives us peace, and produces Hope in our lives. Please help us to meditate on the truth of Your Word, and let it dwell in us richly, and continue to being about growth in our lives. In Jesus name. 

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia