Sometimes when I'm in those moments of suffering with an ailment or another part of my body that is "feeling its age", I like to put on my pity hat. Doesn't anyone else care that I hurt this badly and that the pain won't go away. Paul challenges us to look past today, look past the moment, look past the "pain in my neck" and think on His Glory. Think on someone else who is hurting more than me. Be busy about helping that other person or encouraging them where they are. When I take on my pain and bump it up against Jesus' suffering, mine suddenly seems SO TRIVIAL.
Further down in Corinthians it notes what God will do when we take on the right thoughts, Godly attitudes and helpful actions for others...He produces GLORY THAT WILL LAST FOREVER. Not just a moment or a day...FOREVER! One day in Heaven, my neck won't hurt anymore, there will be no crying. There will be PRAISING AND GLORIFYING our Christ for the love he had for us and will have for us for ETERNITY. Suddenly, my neck feels better!
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May discomforts produce an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!” 2 Corinthians 4:17
