The Best Perspective for Pain

By Denise Trio

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” — 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 (NIV)

We hate pain. We’ll do anything we can to avoid it or relieve it. In 2023, the global pain management market was valued at more than $72 billion. Unfortunately, in this world, we’ll have pain. We’ll experience troubles. We’ll be afflicted, and there’s no amount of money that will take it away. But, there’s good news to be found through the gospel and today’s passage.

Paul begins these verses with “therefore,” which bookends the beginning of the chapter. He writes in verse 1, “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.” Throughout this chapter, Paul expounds on God’s mercy and the work of Jesus in our lives. Then in verse 16, he reiterates, “Do not lose heart.” Why? Because of our eternal perspective.

It's easy to get wrapped up in the drama of our world. We see a lot of distressing things on the news. Our loved ones are experiencing troubles. There’s a new diagnosis in our family. It’s overwhelming, but Paul calls these troubles “light.” How? Paul knows a thing or two about troubles. He was beaten, imprisoned, stoned, shipwrecked, put on trial, accused, and beaten down. In light of all of his suffering, we ought to listen and learn from him because he’s right! In light of eternity, our troubles are momentary. A friend of mine told me recently that difficult times are like passing clouds. They come and go. They don’t remain forever.

Paul goes on to explain that suffering is productive. Jesus suffered the most brutal, humiliating, and undeserved death, but three days later, He rose again and is now glorified in the highest possible place (Philippians 2:9–11). The pattern of the gospel that Jesus set for us is that suffering produces glory. G. Campbell Morgan, a British evangelist, preacher, and Bible teacher said, “Affliction is not something to be endured in order to reach glory. It is the very process which creates the glory.” And according to Paul in these verses, the eternal glory we receive will outweigh the temporary pain.

Finally, it’s easy to look around and see the effects of suffering and become disheartened. It’s common to read the news and scroll through social media and feel discouraged. Without negating the reality that life is hard sometimes, Paul’s advice is not to fix our eyes on the temporary things around us, but instead to set our attention on the permanent things of heaven.

Athletes understand that wherever they focus is where they’ll go. The same is true for you and me. If you look at the obstacle or the trouble, you’ll gravitate towards it, and it will produce bitterness, anger, comparison, or apathy. If you look at Jesus, you’ll gravitate toward Him in gratitude and humility, and praise will be produced. You’ll notice He carried all of your sins and bore all of your pain, so you can look at this life through the lens of eternity. Our suffering is light in comparison to what Jesus endured for us.

Therefore, let’s not lose heart! Everything we see is momentary; it’s a passing cloud. Everything we can’t see will remain. Let’s fix our gaze on those things and behold the glory of our risen Savior! As the famous hymn says, “The things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

Pause: What’s your propensity when you hear bad news? Are you more naturally an optimist, a pessimist, or a realist? How might shifting your attention to Jesus and the things of eternity affect your mindset?

Practice: At the end of each day, make a list of five things you’re thankful for. This practice helps fix your focus on the blessings God has given you and will help grow your eternal perspective.

Pray: Thank You, Jesus, that You set a standard of producing glory from suffering. Thank You that You died a brutal and undeserved death so that I might have eternal life. When the troubles of this life feel too much for me to bear, remind me to turn to You, because Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.