Fill a 16 ounce cup with water. Now hold it in your right hand, with your arm straight forward from your body. Holding the cup in this position for a few moments is easy for most of us. If we try to hold it in this position for an hour, our arm and hand begin to waiver and pain starts to seep into our body. If we tried to hold the cup for a full 24 hours, the pain would be supreme and holding the glass would be all that we could think about. We can relieve the pain and suffering by simply putting the glass down. The same is true of the problems that we face. As long as we hold onto the problems, we can’t think or do anything else. But if we release the problems to our God, the pain and the load is lifted, and God can build His character into our lives.
II Corinthians 4:16-17 says, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” It is undeniable that we will face troubles and struggles. These problems stay with us only a short while. At the same time they are building us up into Christ likeness and preparing us for the glory that will be ours in eternity.
Reluctant Retiree 