Paul said, "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17). It sounds like Paul is minimizing our trials by calling them light momentary afflictions. Could you imagine saying this to someone when they're going through something painful: "Hey, this trial you think is terrible and excruciating is only light and momentary." If we were counseling people how to counsel others we would tell them NOT to say this.
The obvious question is how could terrible suffering be described this way? Developing a spiritual, eternal perspective is the key to understanding how trials can be viewed as light momentary afflictions. Paul knew better than anyone how important it is to have an eternal perspective. This is what allowed him to deal with trials so well. It didn't have so much to do with how he viewed his suffering as it had to do with how he viewed his future. He knew that one day all of his suffering would be over and he would enjoy his eternity.
Lesson 1: (part1) _________ ________ is a light momentary affliction (part2) _______ __________ in light of eternity Lesson 2: light momentary afflictions: (part1) are ___________________. (part2) ______ ________ us eternal perspectives. (part3) __________________ our spirit. (part4) ______________ our heavenly blessings. Family Worship Guide Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:17 Read 2 Cor 4:8-16 Do you feel like Paul is minimizing your suffering and trials by calling them light momentary afflictions? Why or why not? Seeing how much Paul suffered, how can he say that his, and by extension our, trials are light momentary afflictions?
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Scott LaPierre is the teaching pastor at Woodland Christian Church in Woodland, WA, an author, and conference speaker. He holds an MA in Biblical Studies from Liberty University. Scott and his wife, Katie, have nine children and they are passionate homeschooling advocates. Scott...
