2 Corinthians 4:17-18 *For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! NLT
The words of Paul are comforting. He did not deny the existence of life's troubles neither did he present Christianity or the message of faith as an escape from the challenges of life. He acknowleged it and he put things in the right perspective. Unlike some who deny that God's children can face life's challenges, Paul didn't.
One of the things Jesus said was about the certainty of experiencing life's challenges. In John 16:33, He says, *"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world*"( John 16:33 NKJV).
*We don't have a promise of life without challenges but we have a promise of victory over life challenges. Halleluyah! Trouble days don't last always*.
Apostle Paul stated two things about life challenges in the opening text. The first is that life troubles are small and won't last long. Your troubles are not bigger than your God. That is why Paul says they are small. When compared with the eternal plan and purpose of God for your life, your troubles won't last long. It has an expiry date.
Secondly, Paul made it clear that those troubles achieve for us a glory that far outweighs them. There is a glory ahead, greater than all of life's troubles. That is why our gaze must be fixed on God only not on our troubles.
Verse 18 of the opening text says, *"So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever*". NLT
Stop looking at your troubles. Do not pay attention it. As you give it all your attention, your faith will weaken and life will evaporate from you like vapour. When people see you, they'll recognize something is wrong with you and your challenge becomes your name.
If you look beyond your troubles and fix your gaze on eternal things, faith is released, life and joy will also be restored to you. You cannot overcome in life without joy. Once that is taken away, faith is hindered and victory becomes dim.
Don't allow the enemy steal your joy. If he does, he will steal your song and you'll find yourself lamenting instead of praising God.
Father, I thank you for the promise of victory. I receive the grace to look beyond my troubles in Jesus name.