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In 2 Corinthians 4:17, Paul writes that our “light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory” and this emphasis on achieving a greater purpose becomes a pivotal message for believers. Through the struggles we endure, God is achieving something profound in our lives.
At the home for needy children where I live here in Oaxaca, Mexico, some of the staff members have dogs. Most of the dogs are relatively quiet, but one of the dogs really barks a lot, and it drives me crazy! I’m the gardener here, and anytime I am working in the vicinity of this animal, it goes off barking at me. This is a light and momentary trouble for me. It bothers me and sometimes makes me angry. But lately I have had a change of attitude. After meditating on 2 Corinthians 4:17 I have come to realize that the noisy dog is achieving for me an eternal glory. I have come to see that a lot of things that get on my nerves are really light and momentary troubles that are achieving for me a future glory.
People who work out like to say “no pain, no gain.” It seems Paul is saying “no troubles, no glory.” I have a feeling that what Paul means by light and momentary troubles, and what I mean are two different things. I think Paul was probably considering his troubles which he spoke of in verses 8 and 9: hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted and struck down. These are a little more serious issues than a barking dog, but both work towards achieving an eternal weight of glory that far outweighs the problems.
As we face challenges and difficulties, it is easy to become disheartened and lose sight of the bigger picture. However, Paul’s inspired words call us to see beyond our immediate circumstances. God is not simply allowing us to endure hardships for the sake of it; rather, He is achieving a divine purpose through every trial we face.
By using the word “achieving,” Paul assures us that our struggles are not in vain. In the midst of our pain, God is at work, refining our character, deepening our faith, and molding us into vessels that reflect His glory. Through every trial, God is accomplishing His sovereign plan for our lives, guiding us towards eternal perfection in Christ.
Therefore, as believers, we can find hope and encouragement in the knowledge that God’s hand is on our lives, carefully orchestrating each circumstance for our ultimate good and His glory. With this perspective, we can persevere with unwavering faith, trusting that what the “achieving” God has in store for us surpasses any earthly trouble we might face.
Let us, then, fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and embrace the light and momentary troubles that come our way, whether it be noisy dogs or hard nosed persecutors, knowing that God’s divine purpose is being fulfilled through them. As we press on, confident in His power at work within us, we can rejoice in the promise of eternal glory that awaits all who endure with faith and hope in the midst of life’s trials.
A few days ago in our morning devotions at the home for needy children where my wife and I serve, a lady named Mireya talked about the recent death of her mother. Her mother had been battling diabetes for many years. Not a pleasant struggle to have to endure. And then, to make matters worse, she was involved in a terrible auto accident that broke bones, inflicted bruises; internal and external, and left her in a coma for some days. She finally came out of the coma, which was a great relief for her family, but never really recovered, and ended up dying a couple weeks ago.
Mireya talked of her mother’s walk with God and the tremendous impact her faith had on her family, friends, and even the hospital staff who cried at her passing.
At about the same time of Mireya’s mother’s accident, another tragic auto collision occurred. This time to a lady named Leticia who had faithfully served at the mission in previous years with her husband Edgar. She was hit by a big truck driven by a drunk man. In the car with her were her two daughters, son, and sister in law. They all suffered a variety of bone fractures, contusions and bruises. The worst off was the sister in law who had both of her legs broken.
My wife, Anita, and I, went to visit Leticia recently, and she recounted for us the injuries and physical pain they all went through. Almost as bad as the physical pain, was, and is, is the psychological ordeal they are going through. The drunk man who crashed into Leticia was questioned by police and released. The police never filed a report and there is no evidence that they were ever on the scene. Leticia’s son took a picture of the drunk man and his license plate, which allowed them to find out where he lived. Evidently this man is a man of some means, as it seems he paid the police off and has hired a number of lawyers to defend him in case any one tries to make him pay. Edgar went to find the man in order to talk to him about the situation. He was no where to be found, and so Edgar talked to a few neighbors, telling them what happened and why he wanted to speak with the guy. He gave them his cell phone number. That evening he received a call from a relative of the drunk driver who cursed Edgar out.
What is the import of these two stories? I always say that God loves us and wants us to be happy. These are not very happy stories. The members of these families are strong, faithful Christians involved in ministry. It would be natural to ask God the question “Why”? In fact, Mireya confessed to asking that question. God answered her question. It’s not important to know what the answer was. It is important to know that our God who loves us and wants us to happy, always answers that question. Sometimes he gives the answer in a still small voice that brings us great satisfaction. Sometimes he answers that question through circumstances that follow, or with wise council from trusted friends or family members. Sometimes he answers with the response that Jesus gave John the Baptist or to Peter, which was, “What I do now you cannot understand, but in time you will.”
The New Testament writers James and Peter wrote about going through times of suffering, and both of them said that we should rejoice and be filled with joy because God uses the hard times of pain and confusion to bring about spiritual growth and greater intimacy with the Father.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2,3
For a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes – may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1Peter1:6,7
The Old Testament prophet Habakkuk wrote about difficult times ahead for the chosen people of God. Times of distress and want; hunger and pain. This prophet also declared “though the fig tree does not bud, and there are no grapes on the vine, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen or cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior (Habakuk 3:17,18).”
So whether we suffer a car crash, emotional or physical crash, financial or familial crash, we can be sure that while we go through the pain, God is with us to strengthen us and encourage us, and when we come out the other end, we can rejoice and consider it pure joy that our faith is real and God is glorified.
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To Enjoy God 