The mere thought
of the process of healing being painful is enough to make the strongest
individual shudder in fright. Why? Simply put, no one likes pain…especially pain
in the midst of pain. Haven’t we been
through enough? Why in the world would
someone volunteer on a daily basis to submit to unwanted discomfort? Because the pain that we endure for the sake
of Christ and Him crucified is not for this life only, but for an eternal life
to come.
I can never come
close to illustrating this for you as well as Paul does. Often times through his letters to churches
and individuals he mentions the numerous trials and adversity he and his
followers have faced. In 2 Corinthians
4:8-9 NIV he summarizes his afflictions by stating, “we are hard pressed…; perplexed;
persecuted; [and] struck down”.
Nevertheless, in the beginning of verse 16 of this chapter he declares
that he will not give up. “Therefore we
do not lose heart.” Why, why, why? Why would someone endure such
affliction? We now see his absolutely
beautiful response to the question of why in verse 17. “For our light and momentary troubles are
achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (emphasis mine).
