Pain, worry, sadness, fear, depression, sickness, and struggle are all too common in our world. Many people battle with these things and so much more on a regular basis. The trouble that plagues them becomes the focal point in their mind. Many are overcome and left without any comfort. But this should not be the story for any Christian. For we know what lies beyond the horizon. That a day is soon coming in which all the troubles we know face will be wiped away. Our gaze should be not be fixed on the trouble we can see but on the unseen eternal things of God. That should bring us comfort even in the toughest of times.
Doing so is how men like Paul were able to overcome so much throughout their lives. It was only by looking past the present trouble that he was able to keep marching forward. He knew that everything he faced was nothing compared to the glory stored for him in Heaven. The same glory we too will receive if we keep a stronghold on our faith.
2 Corinthians 4:17 (ESV)
17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
Romans 8:18 (ESV)
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Had Paul focused on all the troubles and hardships surrounding him he likely would have given up. Paul had a good life before coming to Christ but after things began to go downhill. The Bible tells that he was often beaten, imprisoned, and even stoned once. The Apostle prayed for his own healing after seeing God heal many others through his prayers but was told no by the Lord.
2 Corinthians 11:25 (ESV)
25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;
Acts 16:22–24 (ESV)
22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
Acts 14:19–20 (ESV)
19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.
2 Corinthians 12:8–9 (ESV)
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Facing all that and so much more he never gave up or lost his hope. He always found comfort by fixing his gaze on the unseen and knowing that all his trouble would soon pass. It was a daily decision Paul made not to focus on his present circumstances. Instead every morning he looked to the future he would spend in the presence of God in Heaven. Finding so much comfort in his eternity that he wasn’t bothered by his present no matter how bad it got.
2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV)
18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Christians today should follow the example given by the Apostle Paul. Looking past all that troubles us and instead fix our gaze on the unseen things of God. We may hurt today but we can find comfort in knowing that a day is coming in which we will never hurt again. Fear may try to overtake our minds today but be of good cheer we are headed to a place where there will be nothing to fear. No matter what is troubling us in this life we can find joy in knowing that those troubles won’t follow us into eternity. They are temporary and will only last a short time. While Heaven is forever and will be more glorious than we can begin to imagine.
Really it is often hard for us to even try to imagine what Heaven will be like because it will be so different than the world we currently call home. All that which now troubles us will be no more. Death, sadness, pain, worry, depression, fear, suffering, and all else that plagues use will be nothing more than a distant memory. All those will forever pass away along with everything else we see.
Revelation 21:4 (ESV)
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Heaven is coming soon. Find comfort in that fact. The troubles you are facing today will not last forever. So don’t allow them to steal your focus. Be like Paul chose daily not to focus on what you can see. Instead find peace, joy, comfort, and the strength to carry on by fixing your gaze on the unseen. God has a future in store for you greater than you will ever expect. An eternal future in which nothing will ever trouble you again. Choose to always focus on that above the temporary pains of the world.
There will be times that your eyes dart back to the troubles around you but don’t stay there. When that happens turn to God’s word. Be reminded of what lies ahead and place your focus on it again. Be comforted in knowing that your Lord and Savior has gone to prepare a place for you and He will be back soon to take you there. No greater comfort can be had than by those who have their gazed fixed on the unseen. They will be able to overcome whatever comes their way. I pray you will be one of those people.
John 14:2–3 (ESV)
2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
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