Concentrate on the reward, not on the pain and discomfort

ByPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 3 minutes
May the peace from the Lord be multiplied unto you on this wonderful day!We will continue to talk about the potential advantages of the pain and sufferings that we experience in this life. Yesterday we came to realize that the revelation of the nature and essence of sufferings helps us to see all things in the right perspective. We established that sufferings and pain are inevitable in every person’s life. We also started to talk about the fact that God has provided solutions for His children, and has given us His Spirit Who helps us in our moments of weakness. Today I want us to see and remember that every problem – no matter what it is – is TEMPORARY.Revelation of the nature and essence of our problems
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians, 4:17).
«For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us»(Romans, 8:18).
In order for us to seize the potential advantages that are hidden in pain and sufferings, we must learn the true nature and essence of sufferings. Firstly, our present pains are temporary comparing to eternal torture that awaits every person who lives a life of compromise in pursuit of personal comfort. Secondly, our present pain is light comparing to the glory of God that awaits every person who endures pains with dignity. By going through the temporary sufferings, we gain eternal glory and joy. Temporary sufferings multiply our eternal glory if endured with the right attitude.Such a revelation of the nature of pain and problems helps a person to concentrate on eternity and on eternal reward instead of the fleeting feeling of pain of the moment. Jesus was able to endure constant pressure and torment, because He focused on the reward and not the pain.
«Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls» (Hebrews, 12:1-3).
Looking to the reward, Moses could easily forsake the riches of Egypt and choose the path of pain and sufferings, walking it along with the people of God.
«..esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward» (Hebrews, 11:26).
When we look to the reward and not the suffering and pain, it inspires us and helps us to rejoice and not be weary when going through the trials.
«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, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen» (2 Corinthians, 4:16-18).
God’s Word for you today is the following: concentrate on the reward, not on the pain and discomfort.God bless you!Till tomorrow!Pastor Rufus Ajiboye

Support us so we can do more

We’ll get right to the point: we’re asking you to help us support our Church online minisry. We’re a nonprofit that relies on support from people like you. If everyone reading this gives €12 monthly, Spirit and Truth city Church can continue to thrive for years.

Similar Posts

  • How we can determine whether something we experience is God’s discipline or the attack of the enemy

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 5 minutes
    Do you often experience different hardships? Are you facing trouble everywhere you go? It can either be a spiritual attack or you are being disciplined by God Himself. How can you distinguish what exactly is going on with you? Let’s try to answer this question.A believer must learn to see the difference between spiritual warfare and God’s discipline. In different life situations we must firmly know whether we are disciplined by God or we are dealing with a spiritual attack that requires of us to get engaged in spiritual warfare.

  • The factors upon which a man’s breakthrough in life depends

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 6 minutes
    Getting accustomed to the situation. Very often people get used to their situations and will not try to do anything to change their state of being. This lame guy got used to sitting on the same spot for 40 years and probably did not believe in any change any more.I read this story about one dog that has been tied to a pillar. Each time the dog tried to run, she felt the restriction. After several attempts the dog got used to its position. And even after this dog was untied, it still continued to move around only within the habitual radius.

  • The wisdom of repentance

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 3 minutes
    We do not confess our sins to the Lord it affects our blessings. In the Scripture above it says that „for day and night Your hand was heavy upon me…” Heaviness of the Lord’s hand – it is not a sign of blessing; it is a sign of curse. An unrepentant life takes away an opportunity to move forward in any area of our lives. When we refuse to repent we lose vitality and power and drought comes instead. Vitality is a sign of a blessing, prosperity, but drought is a sign of curse. According to the Bible, in order for us to flourish and prosper and to gain riches we must have vitality or power (Deuteronomy, 8:18). The lack of repentance in a person’s life deprives him of this power.

  • How important it is to guard your heart because this is where the source of life flows from

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 4 minutes
    In order for life to flow from us, we need to first be filled with this life. Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life. Receiving Christ as your Lord and Saviour, we accept His life itself within us. But this life has to be constantly strengthened within us, and it is possible when we are filled with the Word of God. You yourself determine what you fulfil your heart with – the Word of God or this world’s system of values, holiness or sin, faith or fear. The Word of God brings faith, strength, and health into our lives. Walking in holiness allows us to see the manifestation of God’s power in our lives. Faith in God, based on the Word of God, connects us with God and His possibilities.

  • Presence of God III

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 3 minutes
    «Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up» (James, 4:8-10)From the verses above we see that sin and adultery distance a person from God and block His presence, His power and glory from manifesting. So, besides prayer, there are other things that bring us closer to God and bring His presence into our lives: those are repentance and commitment to live a holy life.

  • Planning helps us to discover for ourselves the goal of our lives and steer our efforts towards fulfilling this goal

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 3 minutes
    The Bible says, „Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.” (Proverbs 29: 18).Another translation of „revelation” means revelation of the redemptive purposes of God, but the phrase „cast off restraint” is translated as „destruction”. Thus, without a clear understanding of the redemptive purposes of God, the nation of God is destroyed because they cast off restraint.