Thanks in hardship

     From today's Daily Light:
          "We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed--always carrying around in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.  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 Cor. 4:8-10,16-18

     Paul just says it all, doesn't he?  Might we all meditate on these words today and consider that God is moving and active and using all affliction, all pain, all hardship, all difficulty that we--or those that we love--for a "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."  What a cause for rejoicing even in the midst of suffering and sorrow.  The pain is temporary; the glory eternal.
     The cross always precedes the crown.
     I have heard it said so many times: "Never doubt in the dark what you learned in the light."  Might we trust in God's eternal Word and in the unseen this day, and choose to give thanks even in hardship.  For He is worthy.
     And this is not our home.  But heaven is coming!  And until then, He is with us and for us, everyday, every way--renewing, redeeming, restoring... resurrecting.  
     To God be the glory.