Finding our way through the Wilderness

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ 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.

Day Thirty-Three

Momentary Pain, Everlasting Joy

Pain and discomfort are among the first emotions that we feel when we enter this life. They are also often the last emotions that we feel when we exit this life. And in between life and death, pain can constantly greet us like an old acquaintance who we wish we could forget. This pain can be physical, emotional, or psychological. We live our whole lives trying to avoid it, yet just as the sun rises each morning, we know that at any time pain can rear its ugly head again.

The good news for us is that pain is only momentary. It can bother you for years and years, but it is still only temporary. We know this to be true because God's word says it is so, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:4)

So the pain that we feel on earth will cease to be in heaven, for these bodies that were made of dust were designed to expire. However our heavenly bodies have no expiration date on them because they are eternal. So even when we are in pain we should rejoice because we know what is to come. Like the scripture from above says we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen, since what is seen is only temporary and what is unseen is eternal. I would gladly go through pain to get to the glory that is on the other side.

Does this make the pain that we go through more bearable? No, only God can do that, this is why we pray to Him to help ease the burden of pain. However what it does do is take away the importance of pain. When we think of pain like this we will find joy, not sadness, even when we have long term pain because we know that it is not everlasting. In fact out of the eight basic emotions, fear, anger, sadness, joy, disgust, trust, anticipation, and surprise, that we carry here on earth the only everlasting emotion is joy.

There will be no need to fear because we are going to be in the presence of God, Jehovah-Jireh (our provider) Jehovah-Nissi (our protector). Anger and sadness are technically everlasting emotions but they are only going to be felt by those Outside of the Gates, so I don't count them (Luke 13:27-28). There will be no disgust because everything will be pure and holy (Revelation 21). There will be no need to trust because everyone will know the Truth! (Romans 14:11, Philippians 2:10) No anticipation because what we were waiting for has happen (John 14:1-4). And there will be no one in heaven will be surprise because we knew that the only way to the kingdom was through Jesus Christ (John 14:6). That leaves only joy, which we have for eternity (John 16:22)

So whatever pain you have be it physical, emotional, or psychological remember that pain is only temporary but the joy that you have in God is everlasting. Just like our text says though our bodies are getting weaker inside we are renewed day by day. That is something to hold on too.

Please join tomorrow as we continue our journey. Until then, God Bless