Proper Perspective
Proper Perspective
You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials. (1 Pet. 1:6)
Short-term Pain
Peter seems to have gone off the deep end. How can we be glad and rejoice when we are facing difficulties and frustrations and trials? The answer is found in four words—“for a short time.” Peter is suggesting that we can praise God because our tribulations are short in duration. But we respond, “Not so, Peter! My trials are lasting a very long time!”
Yes, our trials seem long. But in comparison to eternity, they are short. The attitude we bring to our battles depends on the perspective we have. To get the right perspective, we need to understand that the proper standard of comparison for the length of our trials is the length of eternity.
Long-term Benefit
We’re told that childbirth is one of the greatest physical pains a human being can experience. The birthing mother often undergoes a tremendous amount of pain in bringing her child into the world. But when the helpless, tiny baby—the new little life—is placed for the first time in the arms of the mother, at that point the memory of the pain begins to fade away.
So it is with our pain, our suffering, our trials. Those discouraging battles may from time to time seem intense. But one day the difficulties of life in this world will be forgotten because we will be caught up in the ecstasy of the moment when we enter into the presence of God for all eternity.
Bottom Line
Identify a battle in your life and compare it to the joy you’ll experience in your heavenly home.