2 Corinthians 4:17

New International Version

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

For Your Encouragement

Facebook gets inundated with photos of ecstatic graduates with friends and family celebrating their successes and achievements during the two graduation months of May and June. Apart from the stories their photos tell, these folks tell their life stories to encourage others to help pull themselves up in their careers. One common theme runs through those stories.

Nothing is impossible for a person who is determined to pursue their dream with passion and discipline.

The account of their difficulties and struggles to the platform of success grips my attention. We read stories of people with no economic power but succeeded through school with determination. There are stories of struggling parents who burn the midnight oil and mothers who juggle parenting, home keeping, maintaining their jobs, and marital commitments to better their lives.

Reading some of these stories is like tiptoeing through the garbage dump to pluck the most beautiful rose one has ever seen while holding their breath. Was it all worth it? Their answer is always yes! And why not? When one admires the beauty of the rose and takes in the sweet aroma, the pain of the experience disappears.

That is the point Paul makes in the scripture for today. The reward for Christian integrity and faithfulness in heaven far outweighs the pain one endures for the sake of Christ in this life (2 Cor. 4:17).

The Christian life is one tough call. Salvation is free, but it takes self-abandonment and determination to honor God in every area of one’s life. Paul’s account of his struggles in 2 Corinthians 11:23-29 tells it all. And that, my friend, is authentic Christianity (Phil. 3:10).

You may have the story of your struggles to tell, too. However, the pain is reaching unbearable levels for you. Hang in there! Listen carefully to Paul here.

Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Cor. 4:16-17).

Focus on the eternal part and encourage yourself. Christ has a crown of righteousness to award you — unfading and glorious. Even now, your life story is touching lives you do not know. Your smile on the eternal graduation platform on that day will surpass all the success smiles on Facebook.