VERY LIGHT AFFLICTION

Today we are going to discuss the impact of light affliction in our personal lives and its glory in eternity to come. The glory that follows whatever we encounter in life is what keeps the Christian moving forward as he continues to carry out his mission, assignment and God's purpose in the world.

Reference: 2 Corinthians 4:17 New American Standard Bible (NASB) "For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison."

Paul's experiences and challenges for the sake of his mission for Christ was not easy by any human standard. Interestingly we have two sides of the above verse: the earthly challenge we face from time to time that brings our promotion, and any suffering in this life for Christ's sake which is far outweighed by the glory of the life to come.

Weighed on a scale, since the opposite of light is heavy, it means that the thickness of our affliction is thin in design. In other words, our challenges have little, or too little flesh or fat on the body. I once heard a man of God saying, "invite challenges, for they are bread". To the natural mind, it doesn't make any sense. However, our referenced Scripture is talking about the benefit. It says, "this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." In other words, by comparison, the very worst of challenge experienced on earth is only a "light and momentary affliction" when compared with the glory that follows the affliction. As a born again Christian, whatever happens in your life is what God allows to come into your space, so He can use it for your good and to glorify His Name.

God is so powerful that He can use evil plan of the enemy against you to work out His glory in your life. In other words, He can turn an evil plan to a good ending; He can turn bad news to a glorious testimony and even use what you think, is a mistake to uplift you. In Genesis 50:20 (NIV), Joseph said to His brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." This is the reason you must make up your mind to allow the Word of God to shape your mindset. Unless you have the Word mindset, you are likely to misinterpret any light affliction or challenging situation in your life as ruinous, whereas God allowed them to gravitate towards you as your stepping stones to greatness or promotion.

To put today's topic in a nutshell, our Christian life is a life of victory, success, abundance and dominion, come what may. That is to say that no matter what comes our way, they will eventually end in any of these listed destinations: praise, victory, success and testimony. Beloved, you can never be disadvantaged as a child of the Most High. I am simply saying that the afflictions, challenges and attacks are all designed to work together for the fulfilment of God's purpose in your life.

Every light affliction you face is not meaningless; it serves a purpose because God doesn't waste any of them. Measured in time, the afflictions happen momentarily but it is shortly replaced by glory and triumph. The greater the challenge, the weightier the glory that follows. Therefore, don't ever quit because even after you are tested, a glory that far outweighs and outlasts the comparatively lightweight and momentary challenge will show up in your life.

Scripture Reading - Romans 8:28; James 1:12; Romans 8:37; 1 John 5:4.

Guided Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, thank you for the grace and power to overcome the challenges and obstacles you allow to come into my life. Thank you for being more than able to empower me by your Spirit, to walk in dominion over light afflictions. My promotion, prosperity, victories and joy are guaranteed as I live triumphantly above trials, fulfilling my purpose in you, in Jesus' Name, Amen!