A Prayer for Endurance in Suffering - Your Daily Prayer - September 28
A Prayer for Endurance in Suffering
By Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading
"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison...” (2 Corinthians 4:17, ESV).
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A change of the seasons is upon us as we enter one of my favorite times of the year, Autumn. There are so many reasons that I love Fall- it’s when I began to date my now-husband, the cooler temps, the preparation and anticipation of the holidays, and of course, Pumpkin Spice Lattes! Yet Autumn also holds some bitter and painful memories for me. It was the time of year that my dad was murdered, and my husband and I lost our first baby early on in my pregnancy, and then experienced another early miscarriage with our fourth baby some years later, also in the Fall. Those were times when I had to endure some heavy emotional suffering and try my best to cling to the good. Even though I was a Christian during those times, the pain was still very real, and I struggled in my faith. I had to constantly press into God’s truth and surround myself with other believers who loved me and encouraged me during those dark times.
As I look to the Scriptures, I am reminded that the Apostle Paul was also familiar with pain, as he physically suffered greatly for the name of Christ and the sake of the gospel; he was beaten, shipwrecked, imprisoned, and eventually beheaded. He was also deeply betrayed and hurt by those he had selflessly poured into (the Corinthians and the Galatians questioned his motives and authority). Yet, he never stopped preaching the gospel and sharing the love of Christ. He ran the race with endurance. The Lord used him to pen some of the most encouraging verses on suffering and our hope of eternity. One of my favorite verses he wrote on this topic is in 2 Corinthians 4:17:
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison...”
2 Corinthians 4:17 isn't primarily a promise that every painful circumstance will soon get better in this earthly life; it's a statement about the eternal perspective we must have as Christians. Suffering that we experience in this life is temporary, while the resurrection that is to come, God's presence, and eternal glory are permanent. Paul isn’t dismissing the suffering; he is encouraging the Corinthians (and us) that any trial that we experience this side of heaven is drastically different from the reward that we will face when we see Christ face to face. The weight of our trial is “light” compared to the heavy reward of glory that awaits us. It’s momentary since our life here is but a vapor (James 4:14). In the blink of an eye, we will soon be with our Savior, safe in His arms, where pain and sorrow will cease. The suffering may not disappear in this life, but the good news is that Jesus is right there with us, walking through it together as He fills our hearts with the hope of eternity with Him. Sadness and grief will come, sometimes like a tidal wave, but you have an anchor of glorious hope, and His name is Jesus! During the pain, the temptation is to give all of our focus to the battle we may be facing. I believe it is so important for us to keep a heavenly and eternal perspective when we are in a painful situation or even a painful season. By God’s grace, He will help you endure the difficulty as you cling to Him and His word and keep your eyes fixed on the hope of eternity. There is a life to come where we are promised no more pain or suffering when we see Jesus face to face and when He returns in all of His glory. May the Lord use this suffering for our good and His glory as we tell of His wondrous love and gospel that brings the gifts of peace with God and life eternal.
Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father,
My heart is so heavy as I look around at the storm around me. It is so easy to feel like I am being crushed under the weight of these tidal waves of grief and pain, but I trust that Your word says that the weight of this trial cannot be compared to the eternal joy and reward that awaits me in eternity. I humbly ask You to transform my perspective from an earthly one to a heavenly one. Instead of praying for You to change my circumstances, Lord, I pray that You would change me in my circumstances. I know You have a plan and a purpose for all of this grief, and I trust that You will not leave me to suffer alone. Please give me an opportunity this week to share Your gospel with someone who is hurting and lost so that they can experience Your great love and receive the beautiful gift of eternal life. I long to be so heavenly-minded that I am earthly good for Your kingdom and glory! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Share your reflections on today’s devotional in the Your Daily Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
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