2 Corinthians 4:16-17 NKJV
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
Today, the world is experiencing a pandemic wherein everyone is forced to stay at home. According to the data of the World Health Organization, we already have 4.1 million COVID-19 confirmed positive patients worldwide, and 283,000 of them are already dead. In the Philippines, we have 10,700 COVID-19 positive patients, and 719 have died. Through this data, our government is now developing an action plan or road map which will help guide the public to move gradually and to avoid the spread of virus until it is totally eradicated.
In the same way, having proper perspective or road map in the will of God and in everything that’s happening is necessary. Maintaining a righteous life before God and being thankful in every circumstance can become an easy part of life’s journey if we have a road map that can properly guide us and easily predict were we are heading. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 gives us a proper perspective, serving as a road map of what will take place in every phase of life. Verse 16 says, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.”
Phase 1: Through God, physical suffering may lead to inward renewal. In this present situation of Enhanced Community Quarantine, we don’t need to lose heart though we feel like suffering for staying at home for two months now. It is my prayer that great realization will be experienced by everyone so that real transformation will be experienced by everyone.
Phase 2: This lockdown is not against us but for us and in verse 17, it says, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory…“ Our present situation (lockdown or ECQ) is just for a short period of time, it won’t last. By the grace of God, it is not against us but it is working for us to transform us to do the perfect will of God to everyone who responds to Him.
Phase 3: Our suffering will lead to glorifying God (a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory). I believe that as we go through this road map in our present situation, we are being transformed day after day and God will be glorified in our lives. So let us learn to be thankful to God for what we are experiencing now because it will help us to have a better perspective in life.
“Gratitude is one of the strongest and most transformative states of being. It shifts your perspective from lacking to abundance and allows you to focus on the good that is in your life, which in turn brings more goodness into reality.” — Jen Sincero, Author/Motivational Speaker
In Christ,
Ptr. Obeth Mendoza
