Zoom Out (2 Corinthians 4:17–18)

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:17–18

You and I have never known a time when we didn’t know that Jesus is alive. We didn’t experience his death in real time, wondering what would happen next. But for those who followed him during his time on earth, there were three long days and nights in which Jesus’ followers knew their messiah was dead.

Think of the mental anguish and the doubt his disciples would have felt during those three days and nights. Had they been wrong about him? Who would save them now? When something is weighing heavily on your mind—even something much less serious than death—three days and nights can feel like an eternity.

A Matter of Perspective

While our troubles can “feel” eternal, God has actually “seen” eternity. He knows the end from the beginning, and has declared that all things are working for good in that eternal timeframe.

For those three days and nights, when Jesus slept in the grave, God knew what was coming next. When our troubles seem overwhelming, if we can zoom out from our own perspective and cling to the knowledge that our Heavenly Father has the only truly accurate perspective, we can trust that even on our darkest days and nights, He knows what’s coming next.

What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.

1 Corinthians 2:9

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Romans 8:18