Our “Light” and “Momentary” Afflictions

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

Every Christ follower experiences times of trials and affliction. When they come, a simple question seems to follow, “Why?” “Why is this happening to me?” If you’ve asked that question in times of difficulty, you are not alone, and you won’t have been the last one to ask it!

The first hurdle a Christ follower must overcome is that trials and affliction are part of the Christian life. It’s part of the make up of living in a fallen world. That shouldn’t surprise anyone, yet it seems to be implied in the question, “Why?”

We have been given ample warning in Scripture about this. Here are just two examples:

For man is born for trouble, as sparks fly upward. Job 5:7

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation... John 16:33 [Spoken from the lips of Christ, Himself]

When I was in Bible College, I would often travel with different professors when they were guest speakers at various churches throughout California. One of them repeatedly said, “Our precious Lord Jesus promised tribulations in this fallen world. But you might be saying, ‘Well, I haven’t had any trials and tribulations!‘ Cheer up. You will!”

So be ready. Don’t allow trials and affliction to catch you by surprise, make you angry, or leave you perplexed. They have a role to play in our lives. They are part our sovereign God’s incomprehensible plan.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2Corinthians 4:17