“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 (NKJV)
When Jesus taught the Sermon on the Mount, He said something that turned earthly logic upside down: “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven” (Matt 5:12). He was talking to those who were being persecuted—who were suffering for righteousness’ sake. His encouragement wasn’t to avoid hardship, but to see it through the lens of eternity.
Paul took this perspective to heart. After enduring beatings, imprisonment, shipwrecks, betrayal, and deep personal loss, he still called it “light” and “momentary.” Why? Because Paul had caught a glimpse of something greater—the eternal weight of glory that was being worked into him as he depended on God, His Word, and His Spirit through every trial.
Eternal glory outweighs temporary affliction. What you’re walking through might feel crushing right now, but it is not the end of your story. God is not the author of your pain, but He is working despite it to produce something in you that far exceeds the pain you’re feeling.
This affliction that came to kill, steal, and to destroy you, will be overcome as you depend on Him. You will come out stronger with more confidence. He will give you beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61:3). Every tear, every trial, every testing—will be redeemed for His glory.
Don’t measure your life by what you see—measure it by what He has promised. The weight you’re feeling now is nothing compared to the weight of glory that’s coming.
Excerpt from Follow Me As I Follow Christ by Kevin Casey. Click Here: Available on Amazon (Kindle & paperback).
When Jesus taught the Sermon on the Mount, He said something that turned earthly logic upside down: “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven” (Matt 5:12). He was talking to those who were being persecuted—who were suffering for righteousness’ sake. His encouragement wasn’t to avoid hardship, but to see it through the lens of eternity.
Paul took this perspective to heart. After enduring beatings, imprisonment, shipwrecks, betrayal, and deep personal loss, he still called it “light” and “momentary.” Why? Because Paul had caught a glimpse of something greater—the eternal weight of glory that was being worked into him as he depended on God, His Word, and His Spirit through every trial.
Eternal glory outweighs temporary affliction. What you’re walking through might feel crushing right now, but it is not the end of your story. God is not the author of your pain, but He is working despite it to produce something in you that far exceeds the pain you’re feeling.
This affliction that came to kill, steal, and to destroy you, will be overcome as you depend on Him. You will come out stronger with more confidence. He will give you beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61:3). Every tear, every trial, every testing—will be redeemed for His glory.
Don’t measure your life by what you see—measure it by what He has promised. The weight you’re feeling now is nothing compared to the weight of glory that’s coming.
Excerpt from Follow Me As I Follow Christ by Kevin Casey. Click Here: Available on Amazon (Kindle & paperback).
Posted in Living with Hope
Pastor Kevin Casey
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2026
January
Day 1: Knowing Jesus is Eternal LifeDay 2: That I May Know HimDay 3: The Supremacy of ChristDay 4: Christ the FoundationDay 5: Forgiven CompletelyDay 6: Forgive as You’ve Been ForgivenDay 7: A New CreationDay 8: Righteous by FaithDay 9: Adopted and ChosenDay 10: Accepted in the BelovedDay 11: Seated with ChristDay 12: God’s WorkmanshipDay 13: Nothing Can Separate YouDay 14: Christ in You, the Hope of GloryDay 15: The Mind of ChristDay 16: The Image of God RestoredDay 17: Grace That TeachesDay 18: The Measure of FaithDay 19: Faith Works by LoveDay 20: The Faith of the Son of GodDay 21: The Crucified LifeDay 22: Renew Your MindDay 23: Take Every Thought CaptiveDay 24: Think on These ThingsDay 25: Be Spiritually Minded
February
Day 26: Press Toward the GoalDay 27: Led by the SpiritDay 28: Walk in the SpiritDay 29: Spirit of Power, Love, and Sound MindDay 30: Empowered From On HighDay 31: Healing Is in the AtonementDay 32: Minister Healing to OthersDay 33: Pray in the SpiritDay 34: The Spirit Helps Our WeaknessDay 35: Be Filled ContinuouslyDay 36: Gifts of the SpiritDay 37: Spirit-Led MinistryDay 38: Fruit of the SpiritDay 39: The Spirit Bears WitnessDay 40: Walk Worthy of Your CallingDay 41: Love Is the GreatestDay 42: Unity of the SpiritDay 43: Forgive One AnotherDay 44: Serve in LoveDay 45: Bear One Another’s BurdensDay 46: Honor Others Above YourselfDay 47: Godly RelationshipsDay 48: Love in the HomeDay 49: Hospitality and GenerosityDay 50: Giving and GenerosityDay 51: Pray Without Ceasing Day 52: Seated with Christ in AuthorityDay 53: Reigning in Life Through Christ
March
Day 54: Put on the Armor — Stand in VictoryDay 55: Life Is a MissionDay 56: Ambassadors for ChristDay 57: Share Your StoryDay 58: Not Ashamed of the GospelDay 59: Make Disciples Who MultiplyDay 60: Redeem the TimeDay 61: Open Doors and Bold SpeechDay 62: Witness to, Honor, and Pray for IsraelDay 63: Suffer for the GospelDay 64: Strength in WeaknessDay 65: Don’t Lose HeartDay 66: Our Light and Momentary TroublesDay 67: Set Your Mind on EternityDay 68: Death, Grief, and Eternal Hope