The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Corinthians 4:15-18, “For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,
18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

When I read this passage, I cannot but help thinking of Joni Erickson Tada. Injured in a swimming accident as a teenager, she has lived as an invalid all of her adult life! Have you ever heard her complain? I have not! She sees what happened to her as the opportunity to lean totally on Jesus Christ.

Nor does she ever lose heart! Some days are better than others, but no day is exactly what she would desire for herself; yet, she bears up under an unsolicited load as she demonstrates the power and joy of Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul had many dreary days himself. Yet, he spoke of those days as of “momentary light affliction.” He refused to focus on the “bad” or “hurts” he encountered. He saw every day through a positive lens, “producing… an eternal weight of glory…”

When things seem to go wrong (as the often do!), try to see the spiritual benefit. It’s easy to do if we keep focused on the LORD Jesus Christ. No one ever suffered like He did; yet, He kept looking to His Father for grace to bear the adversities. What a perfect pattern He is for whatever assails us in life! “There’s not a one like the lowly Jesus. No, not one.”

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom