Our Light Affliction Which is But for a Moment (2 Corinthians 4:17) - Develop an Eternal Perspective

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.

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Lessons for Our Light Affliction Which is But for a Moment (2 Corinthians 4:17) - Develop an Eternal Perspective

Lesson 1: (part one) __________ __________ is a light momentary affliction (part two) ________ ____________ in light of eternity (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Hebrews 11:1, 10, Genesis 13:8-10, Philippians 3:14 CF 2 Corinthians 4:14).

Lesson 2: light momentary afflictions:
• (part one) are ________________________ (2 Corinthians 4:16a).
• (part two) ______ ________ us eternal perspectives (2 Corinthians 4:16b, Philippians 3:20).
• (part three) ____________________ our spirit (2 Corinthians 4:1c, Romans 8:18).
• (part four) ________________ our heavenly blessings (2 Corinthians 4:17, Matthew 19:29).

Family Worship Guide for Our Light Affliction Which is But for a Moment (2 Corinthians 4:17) - Develop an Eternal Perspective

Day 1: Read 2 Corinthians 4:8-16 and discuss: do you feel like Paul is minimizing your suffering and trials by calling them light momentary afflictions? Why or why not? After reading 2 Corinthians 4:8-12 and seeing how much Paul suffered, how can he say that his, and by extension our, trials are light momentary afflictions? Why is physical suffering so discouraging? Why is it so easy to lose heart?

Day 2: Read 2 Corinthians 4:16, Philippians 3:20, Romans 8:18, Matthew 19:29 and discuss: how does the wasting away of our bodies encourage us to develop eternal perspectives? What can we do to ensure we are developing eternal perspectives, versus becoming bitter, angry, or depressed? How do light momentary afflictions strengthen our spirit? How do they increase our heavenly blessings?

Day 3: Read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Hebrews 11:1, 10, Genesis 13:8-10, and Philippians 3:14 and discuss: what does it mean that we see what is unseen? Why did A.W. Tozer say the spiritual world is the only real world? What did Pastor Scott mean when he said Lot was looking for a physical city while Abraham was looking for a spiritual city? How does an eternal perspective allow every trial to become a light momentary affliction? How does Philippians 3:14 encourage you to have an eternal perspective? How does 2 Corinthians 4:14 prevent us from losing heart?

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