What is God going to do about our affliction?

“The glory of God is goodness throwing its weight around.” – Chris Green

I have heard Dr. Green say this before. But when I read it again yesterday, I thought of this verse:

“So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For our slight, momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen, for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Every time we consider that God is eternally and forever good, we are reminded of the momentary and temporary nature of our affliction.

This is why we do not need to lose heart!

Are you in pain? Are you in trouble? Are you suffering?

Whatever those afflictions are, they are here but for a moment. They are here, for now, and will not last. They have been and will be overcome by that which is forever — God’s just goodness.

Our afflictions are not simply passed over by the passage of time – they are dealt with by his justice because he is good. He is not ignoring your pain, knowing it will fade away. He is dealing with your affliction head on and will bring your renewal to its full measure.

Beyond our comprehension, God will judge and make right your every affliction.

He’s going to do something about it. He’s going to make the wrong right.

We don’t often think about God’s eternal justice because we tend to see so well through temporary lenses. This is why affliction seems to be having its way. We see “affliction” and we see it clearly. And though our vision seems fine, if we are honest with ourselves the outlook is not what we desire. We are looking for the assurance that the affliction we see is not all there is.

This is why it is helpful to be reminded of the weight of God’s goodness.

When we welcome the weight of God’s goodness, we are freed up to hope in what is eternal. We can experience the day by day renewal of God’s judgment — and find joy in the unseen fulfillment of God’s faithfulness.

God does not leave you alone in the wasting away — because nothing is wasted.

Every moment it appears like affliction is having its way in your life, don’t lose heart. What is not yet perceived is that your affliction is losing ground and losing steam under the weight of God’s eternal goodness. You can have assurance in this.

At the cross, Jesus reveals to us the love of God while showing affliction the door. This is good news! Though it’s hanging around for a moment, it won’t be staying long. That’s the glory of God. His goodness throwing its weight around.