Our Scripture reading today is 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
If you have read most of Paul's writings, you might be wondering about his reference to affliction as being light. He was definitely someone who endured much for the cause of Jesus Christ. (See 2 Corinthians 11:23-28.) It is amazing when one considers this is only the physical side of what Paul would have gone through. By God's grace, he referred to his afflictions as light.
The phrase that captivated my attention this morning was, "a moment..." While our trials are real and for the most part not expected, they are only for "a moment". I have thought and prayed much in recent days for friends who were dealing with great physical and spiritual trials. It would seem the grief and pain would never go away, but I am reminded this morning that they are only "a moment". How can this be? It all comes down to my perspective. One hundred years of suffering is simply "a moment" in comparison to eternity in the presence of our Saviour. Even if someone were to deal with cancer multiple times, it is "a moment" in comparison with eternity in our glorified body.
It is important that we not allow ourselves to get caught up mentally and emotionally in "a moment", but to remember what Paul wrote to the Roman Christians, "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:17)