We humans have a preoccupation with the future. It’s a pleasant distraction from the struggles and sufferings of the here and now. It’s much easier to cope with the sufferings of this life if one is able to justify them amidst the hope of a brighter tomorrow. In his book, “Man’s Search for Meaning”, Viktor Frankl said it this way…
It is a peculiarity of man that he can only live by looking to the future. And this is his salvation in the most difficult moments of his existence…
Viktor Frankl knew something of the most difficult moments of existence. He lived through the horrors of being a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp. While you and I can’t possibly imagine how horrific an experience like that could be, we too suffer greatly in life. As time goes by, I recognize that in many ways these sufferings accumulate and weigh me down. Perhaps some of you can relate? Frustrations, failures, and disappointments can stack up on our backs and at times the load can feel unbearable. A stressful day can often feel like the straw that broke the camel’s back considering the load we carry around on a daily basis.
I’ve been thinking and writing a great deal on perspective (see the previous 3 posts). It is the single most important tool we can employ against this burden of suffering we all bear. There are so many seasons in life in which we cannot see the forest for the trees. There are dark nights of the soul that last so long we can hardly remember what it is like to live in the full light of day. In these moments we need to see with spiritual eyes from the perspective of faith.
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. (2 Cor. 4:17)
The Apostle Paul wrote this to the Corinthian church amidst the backdrop of great persecution. He was reminding them that there is a purpose in all of this. Our endurance does not go unrewarded. Our sufferings are not without purpose. Our pain is only temporary.
If you are feeling cynical, if you are caught up in despair, or overwhelmed by hopelessness, my prayer for you today is that you would be able to employ the tool of perspective. Have faith to dispel the fallacy that your troubles are permanent. Take heart and know that the glory waiting for you on the other side of whatever hill you are climbing far outweighs it all.