Recently, we were dealing with some application form issues for my daughter, and it seemed like an eternal struggle to get through it. When we had just finished with it, a friend of ours called with some very difficult news. It literally knocked the breath out of me. As if that was not enough, we heard that one of our church members was going to undergo major surgery. I felt like I was standing on the beach, and the waves were pummelling me to the ground.
When life feels heavy, and your circumstances seem to be drowning you, the gospel offers a powerful reminder: God is working out an eternal purpose, even through our light and momentary struggles. The apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4:17, “For our light and momentary afflictions are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” This verse gently reminds us to shift our focus from temporary hardships to the bigger picture of God’s eternal plan. Over the winter break, I felt like I needed that reminder. Life’s challenges—disappointments, loneliness, unfulfilled desires, hard news, hospital visits—can feel overwhelming. But the gospel invites us to trust that these difficulties are not meaningless. Instead, God uses these situations to shape us for a glory beyond anything we can imagine.
During the winter break, I started reading a book called The Good and Beautiful Life. There was a particular line in the book that caught my attention. The author, James Bryan Smith, writes, “We are not defined by what happens to us; we are defined by the story we believe about ourselves.” Personally, I find it easy to get caught up in the narrative of inadequacy or failure or that my life is small and insignificant. But when we embrace the truth of God’s story, we realise we are daughters of the King, loved, valued, and included in His divine plan.
One way to see this truth in action is through the life of Hannah in the Bible (1 Samuel 1). Hannah was heartbroken because she couldn’t have children, and her life felt small compared to others around her. Yet, she turned her pain into prayer, trusting God even when her circumstances didn’t change immediately. In time, God answered her prayers and gave her a son, Samuel, who became one of the greatest prophets in Israel’s history.
Hannah’s story reminds us that when we surrender our struggles to God, He uses them to accomplish something far greater than we can see. James Bryan Smith writes, “The narratives Jesus gives us are narratives of hope.” And for me, that was life-giving. Like Hannah, we can choose to trust God’s hope-filled story instead of the discouraging stories our circumstances tell us.
So, how do we see the big picture when life feels overwhelming? First, it’s good to step back a little from our overwhelming situation, to pause and reflect, and maybe even remind ourselves of God’s promises in Scripture. Meditate on verses like 2 Corinthians 4:17 and Romans 8:28, which assure us that God is working all things for good.
Second, it is good to keep our hearts focused on God’s eternal perspective. For example, James Bryan Smith encourages us to practice gratitude, even in hard times. He writes, “Gratitude is the antidote to anxiety, fear, and despair.” When we focus on what God has already done, we find hope and strength to trust Him for what’s ahead. During the winter break, when I was trying to process some hard news, I looked back at my own life when I had heard similar bad news, and I thanked God for the times he brought me through safely.
Lastly, surround yourself with a community of believers who will speak life into your struggles. Share your burdens with godly friends who can encourage you with prayer and remind you of God’s faithfulness.
When life feels heavy and overwhelming, remember that God’s story is far greater than what we see now. Trust that your “light and momentary afflictions” are building something eternal. Hold onto the gospel’s promises, and take heart in knowing that God is using your life—no matter how small it seems—for His glory and your good.
Photo by Carolina Heza on Unsplash
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