‘For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 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.’
(2 Corinthians 4: 17 – 18)
Last week, my family packed ready to go on a short vacation. I was mega busy getting things ready and fell into a deep sleep that night. The next morning – on the day we were due to leave – I slowly opened my eyes and groaned inwardly in frustration. One of the veins at the back of my left eye had collapsed overnight because of diabetic retinopathy. My vision was blinded by a large slug of blood floating in the vitreous gel. It was immensely frustrating but I got through the holiday as best I could whilst dealing with it. The blood has cleared a little but a major vitrectomy operation is possible, just as I had with the right eye (successfully) some 15 years ago.
Why am I writing this? Because I felt sorry for myself. In fact, there are any number of problems at any given time whereby I can feel ‘down’ about circumstances. And I am sure I am not the only person who faces such challenges. But what was wonderful – and I really want to emphasize this – are the words that God definitely whispered to me in the past few days, ‘All your troubles are temporary.’
Just think about that for a moment. The Lord is saying that every single ‘trouble’ we face, whether to health or loved ones, finances or failures, whatever it is… is temporary! The problem won’t last forever. The blood in my eye will either clear itself, or be taken out by a surgeon, or it will stay in my eye until this molded clay dies and I get a new body with new eyes. The problem isn’t the problem, the problem is perspective. And when we receive God’s perspective, we can see mountains as molehills. We find strength to endure and peace that is so greatly needed. We can say with confidence, “With my God, I can crush an army’ (Psalm 18:29). His love frees us!
Leave a comment