A measure of glory, perspective of joy.

Picture/Feel this: Your arms held to either side (like a scale). The weight of all your trouble compiled on one side. Do you feel off kilter? Do your feel burdened? Does the though bring hopelessness?

Now picture this: A measure much more exceeding the weight of all life's problems, struggles and heartaches. A weight that makes life seem bearable. A weight that makes standing possible and joy probable!


2 Corinthians 4:17

For our light affliction, which is for but a moment, worketh for us far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

I have read this chapter countless numbers of times, but it was until recent that this particular verse took heavy to my heart! Heavy in the sense of knowledge, understanding and specifically a "light bulb" type of moment.

God saves us, not FROM our sin, but from the result of that sin. It seems as though at times we see people go to the "altar" that We as believers create for them. They go in order to have a burden lifted, or obstacle removed. They believe to be relieved. They accept in order to have a better life. However, after this "moment" the expectation is met with confusion and disappointment because God doesn't lift us out of our current situation when we accept Him as our savior. HE just joins us in our situation lighting the way. Showing us how to stand under it, shining for Him and living in his blessings, even if they are entangled with tough, hard to manage moments.

In 2 Corinthians, we see that God doesn't intend to lift us out of Pain. He just grants us a WEIGHT of Glory that FAR EXCEEDS our troubles! That my friends is where we find our smiles on miserable days, our joy in heartbreak and our thankful spirit when life goes anything BUT our way.

Tough situations are a blessing. Although, at first glance they seem impassable. Unbearable. However, it is in these circumstances "God gives [us] time to consider His glory and to grow stronger faith." (Paul Tripp) In Paul's words: "Waiting is not about what you are hoping for at the end of the wait, [hope] is what you will become as you wait!"

Focusing on the weight of your problems keeps you from experiencing the joy that is produced by the glory that outweighs it. It burdens you with worry, anger and possibly even envy. When you really stop to think WHY...often it is because what we want or what WE think is best is automatically thought to be "Good." But ... just because we are made to endure hard times or if the answer to a desire is no or not yet, that doesn't necessarily mean it is Bad. It means GOD has a time set aside to reveal Himself to you first, and somehow teach and shape you into a clearer reflection of Himself before granting you that desire.

Remember: Spiritual growth while waiting is very much dependent on perspective.

Those things that deteriorate your "spiritual muscles" will open your eyes to the obstacles in your present situation making motivation decrease and your perspective will turn negative.

The life of building faith while waiting will open your eyes to the road God has currently walking. Obstacles will still be present, but perspective is on the road and not the walls blocking "your path." Which in turn helps you to see the Road God intended in the first place. Perspective in this realm is positive.

His measure of Glory offsets the burden, grants you joy to carry you forward and guidance to bring you into His will. The Christian life is not a life of perfection, it is a joyful life splattered with challenges that break our stuburn human nature and makes us more Christlike, if we embrace it.

My question to you, as well as to myself is this: Is the time of burden or waiting a time that strengthens your faith or weakens it??