The Blog

In verses seventeen to eighteen, Paul once again implores us to not lose hope in the midst of our suffering. Our troubles should not diminish our faith. We should always remember that there is a purpose behind our suffering.

Problems and human limitations have benefits:
(1) they remind us of Christ’s suffering for us;
(2) they keep us from pride;
(3) they cause us to look beyond this short-term on earth;
(4) they prove our faith to others, and
(5) they give God the opportunity to demonstrate his power.

Our ultimate goal as God’s people when experiencing pain and hardship is—there is life after death. The moment we set our mindset on the eternal glory up ahead will enable us to live above any pain that we experience on earth.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18
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.