2 Corinthians 4:17-18 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. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

This understanding is of vital importance for the life of victory that God intends for us. As long as our hearts and minds are fixed on the world around us, which includes our own bodies, we will not have the peace and joy that are ours in Christ. I’m sure Paul didn’t arrive at this position of faith quickly; this letter was written late in his ministry. The Japanese translation for verse 17 very appropriately uses exactly the same word used in John 16:33, where Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble.” The combination of Chinese characters is a little unusual, including the one for a medical patient and the one that is used for all sorts of difficulties. Miracles of healing were a striking part of Jesus’ ministry and were a powerful tool for evangelism in the early church, as they are today. However, as Paul discovered, physical healing isn’t always God’s best for us, as much as we would like for it to be. Later in this same letter Paul relates how God told him that His grace was all he needed, even though he asked for healing. Such a situation can make or break you. Many people become introspective and embittered, when what God desires is what happened with Paul: spiritual growth and maturation that resulted in blessing for many and glory for God.

I hadn’t expected to write on medical issues, because my own current “troubles” aren’t that, but the principle is the same all around: if our hearts are fixed on Christ and His kingdom, we’ll be able to get through anything. That isn’t always easy to remember, especially when the troubles are church related! I need to trust God with the church and the people in it, giving more than lip service to the fact that it is His church first and foremost. It is my church, in that I have been assigned to it as shepherd, and I am not to be irresponsible, but neither am I to try to carry it myself; I can’t do it. Time and time again I have seen circumstances that looked bad work out for great blessing, and I’ve got to trust, in practical terms, that Romans 8:28 is always true. I’m not to “write off” anyone, but neither am I to think or feel that God’s plans for this church are dependent on any individual, least of all me.

Father, thank You for yesterday and all it held. Thank You for the message You spoke through me, and that it seemed to communicate to most who heard it. Thank You for how You are growing and maturing each of us. I pray that all of us would be fully open to how You want to work in and through us, so that we will be useful workmen in Your kingdom indeed, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!