What Are You Looking At?

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2 Corinthians 4:16 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 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.

 The other day I asked someone who was an older person how he was doing.  He said, "Well I'm still above ground?"  It is a humorous comment which reflects what Paul says today. He says, "though outwardly we are wasting away yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." Paul is saying there is an inverse relationship between our spiritual age and our physical age.  

 Paul says this in light of his own suffering he has experienced.  Suffering is not pleasant, but Paul says that our light and momentary trouble are achieving for us an eternal glory that outweighs it.  Why?  Because it is momentary it doesn't last forever.  He says something similar in Romans 8, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18

 So how do we do this? Paul says it is all about what we fix our eyes on.  Do we focus on our troubles, or how they are preparing us for eternity?  I know this is a lot easier said than done.  When we are suffering the most common thought that comes to mind is, "Why me?"  "Why do I have to go through this?"  "What did I do wrong?"  "Is God mad at me?"  

 Paul is no stranger to adversity.  He states, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.'10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body."

 When we suffer for Christ, it gives room for His light to shine through us.  When we are weak He is strong. Where are you suffering?  How can you take your eyes off your momentary suffering and focus on the eternal glory you will receive when you go to heaven.  We often show more of Christ in our lives when we are weak because it is clear where our comes from.  Remember we serve a God who is not aloof to suffering.  He sent Jesus His Son, who suffered deeply on the cross for us.  He achieved for us an eternal glory that will never fade away.  Yes you are still above ground, so keep your eyes on the cross! 

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