16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

This weekend, I caught a new insight into this whole “outward man is perishing” part…I saw my gray hair coming in…I know, silly, but you can ask my wife, this was a big deal for me!  Just when I am finally coming to terms with whole hair-loss part of getting older, it is than topped off with new additions of gray.  It was a tough moment in the Anderson house.

In all seriousness though, it is verse 17 that really starts to stick out to me in my season.  Read it again. I know I have to. Over and over again.

My stubborn nature (which seeing that I was fearfully and wonderfully made in His image, it is somewhat His fault) just can’t get over the simple fact that my issues of today might just actually be leading to a bigger tomorrow.

The sliver you experience today results in a lumber-mill of harvest tomorrow.  The slight speed-bump you experience today is there on purpose as it will bring a bigger testimony tomorrow.

I have said it before – you cannot let your circumstance define you; it is how you behave in the middle of the circumstance that defines you.

Think about this for a second; 5 years ago, what were you worried about?  What was it that caused you stress?  What about last year?  What about last week?  I bet there are things that you thought were huge than, that now, you cannot even remember.

Granted, it is easy to say that about the smaller things, but it is even the bigger afflictions we go through that we need to put into perspective.  My wife and I have been trying to have a baby for many years now – and without going into all the details, it has been one of the hardest seasons I could imagine.  But – despite it all, no matter the outcome, no matter the length of time it takes, I know that this season is working itself out for something that far outweighs the pain and sadness we have experienced thus far; all for an eternal glory and an even better testimony that is for Him in the end.  It is so easy for me to get caught up in my temporary circumstance – but we do not operate in a world of the “seen” but rather of the “unseen”.

We must keep our focus on Him. I choose to let Him work it all out for His glory.

Question: What is your tip for successfully staying focused on the eternal versus the temporary?