I don’t know about you, but I don’t like the things that afflict me. Whether it be some health issue, relationship concern, or financial setbacks, I don’t care to deal with them. My focus is on the issue and not on what benefits I can derive from dealing with the issue. Properly addressing health issues makes me healthier in the long run. Dealing with relationships in an understanding and sympathetic manner helps those relationships grow in mutually beneficial ways. Addressing financial setbacks in a constructive way makes the future brighter and more successful. Properly handling of all afflictions will improve our character.
II Corinthians 4:17-18 says, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” We should look past the seen things that bother us or afflict us to the unseen rewards we will receive when we pass through these afflictions. These rewards are proven character and glorification with Jesus.
Reluctant Retiree 