“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; (18) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

The writer, the Apostle Paul, tells us that our “light affliction” (i.e. persecution, tribulation, trouble) “is but for a moment.” But when we look at our situation, our persecutions, tribulations, and troubles; they in no way seem like “light” afflictions.

Jesus told His disciples in John 16:33b “… In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, then you too can expect tribulation in the world. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who (or what) can be against us?

Therefore, knowing these precious promises, I ask you: What are you looking at? Are you looking at your light affliction, or are you looking to Jesus? Are you looking for a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, or are you looking at the temporal things of this life?

The child of God does not look at those things in this life that are temporal, because the child of God knows that he or she is a stranger and pilgrim on the earth. This is not our home. The child of God is looking for a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; “…a better country, that is, an heavenly…” (Hebrews 11:16). We are looking for a city (eternal) “…which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10).

I want to encourage you, dear child of God, look to the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) who through the Apostle Peter (1 Peter 5:7) tells us to cast all our cares upon Him; “…for he careth for you.”

Again I ask: What Are You Looking At?