An open secret. Clearly confused. Act naturally. Found missing.
These phrases are known in literary circles as oxymoron (or oxymora), a figure of speech in which seemingly contradictory terms appear together.
Here are a few more to make your brain hurt: rolling stop, unbiased opinion, seriously funny, and minor crisis.
I coined an oxymoron of my own during a trying time in our family life – peacefully panicked.
If you’ve ever lived through a crisis that turned your world upside down, yet experienced God’s peace in the midst of it, you understand peaceful panic.
And if you’ve suffered through a tragedy or trial as a believer (maybe you’re living through one right now), then you understand how contradictory the apostle Paul’s statement in 2 Corinthians 4:17 is:
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
A “light affliction”?
The Greek word Paul uses here to describe his trials (which included being stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned, and flogged), means a “weightless trifle.”
I don’t know about you, but if I’d been stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned, and flogged, I wouldn’t describe my trials as a “weightless trifle.” I’d use words like overwhelming, oppressive, and devastating.
At least he gets the “trouble” part right. The Greek word Paul used for trouble refers to “intense pressure.” Like the mythological Atlas carrying the entire world on his shoulders. If you’ve experienced life-threatening sickness, death, financial ruin, relational strife, or heartbreak, you understand this type of pressure. The type that squeezes you in a vise from which there is no escape.
This contradictory combination, a “weightless trifle of intense pressure” creates the oxymoron.
How can Paul describe his life this way when trouble and tragedy stains every step?
The second half of verse 17 explains: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
“Weight” in Paul’s original language means “a heavy mass.” The weight of a skyscraper. Or a thousand skyscrapers. The weight of the sea (including the whales that live in it). Or the moon. Or all the rocks in the Grand Canyon.
Paul knows that his "light" afflictions are far outweighed by the scale-breaking weight of glory that awaits him because of what he’s suffered. Under God’s inspiration, Paul deliberately chose this oxymoronic description of his (and our) trials to communicate a life-altering truth: no matter how devastating the trials of our lives are, they are weightless and brief in light of the heavy mass of glory they’re enabling us to accumulate in eternity.
The secret to living with our feet in this world and our eyes on the next is this:
“. . . we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal,” (v. 18).
This is our hope – and the power to face each day of trial and tribulation, heartbreak and pain, struggle and fear, “weightless trial of intense pressure.” We can rest in the knowledge that while this day’s troubles are real, the promise of a trouble-free eternity full of glory is equally real, yet infinitely longer. This truth provides an anchor to cling to when the storms of life threaten to drown us.
If your life feels more like intense pressure and less like weightless trifle, take heart. You will not only survive, but thrive, because God’s presence surrounds you and an exceeding and eternal weight of glory awaits you.
Now it’s your turn. How has the promise of eternity sustained you during an overwhelming trial? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. If you’re reading by email, click HERE to visit Hungry for God online and leave a comment.
Does Your Faith Need Refreshing?
That's in the Bible? I've never noticed that before!
It's probably been too long since you've newly discovered a story that speaks to your soul or a verse that pops with truth. But that's about to change!
Refresh Your Faith contains 66 culturally relevant, story-driven devotions, one from each book of the Bible. Each real-life story spotlights an unusual verse or Bible passage that you may have overlooked in your usual Bible reading. Lori Hatcher challenges you with additional features like an uncommon thought to ponder; an unusual faith action step; and an unfamiliar passage suggestion for additional Bible reading.
When the fabulous has become familiar and your quiet times are more like nap times, it's time to step out of spiritual boredom and ignite the spark that will keep you growing. No matter where you are on your faith journey, Lori's conversational and engaging style will challenge you to think about things you've never thought about before.
“Real-life inspiration and candid wit. These 5-minute devotions will change your life.” —Psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Kevin Leman, commenting on Lori Hatcher's devotional style
Here are a few more to make your brain hurt: rolling stop, unbiased opinion, seriously funny, and minor crisis.
I coined an oxymoron of my own during a trying time in our family life – peacefully panicked.
If you’ve ever lived through a crisis that turned your world upside down, yet experienced God’s peace in the midst of it, you understand peaceful panic.
And if you’ve suffered through a tragedy or trial as a believer (maybe you’re living through one right now), then you understand how contradictory the apostle Paul’s statement in 2 Corinthians 4:17 is:
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
A “light affliction”?
The Greek word Paul uses here to describe his trials (which included being stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned, and flogged), means a “weightless trifle.”
I don’t know about you, but if I’d been stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned, and flogged, I wouldn’t describe my trials as a “weightless trifle.” I’d use words like overwhelming, oppressive, and devastating.
At least he gets the “trouble” part right. The Greek word Paul used for trouble refers to “intense pressure.” Like the mythological Atlas carrying the entire world on his shoulders. If you’ve experienced life-threatening sickness, death, financial ruin, relational strife, or heartbreak, you understand this type of pressure. The type that squeezes you in a vise from which there is no escape.
This contradictory combination, a “weightless trifle of intense pressure” creates the oxymoron.
How can Paul describe his life this way when trouble and tragedy stains every step?
The second half of verse 17 explains: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
“Weight” in Paul’s original language means “a heavy mass.” The weight of a skyscraper. Or a thousand skyscrapers. The weight of the sea (including the whales that live in it). Or the moon. Or all the rocks in the Grand Canyon.
Paul knows that his "light" afflictions are far outweighed by the scale-breaking weight of glory that awaits him because of what he’s suffered. Under God’s inspiration, Paul deliberately chose this oxymoronic description of his (and our) trials to communicate a life-altering truth: no matter how devastating the trials of our lives are, they are weightless and brief in light of the heavy mass of glory they’re enabling us to accumulate in eternity.
The secret to living with our feet in this world and our eyes on the next is this:
“. . . we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal,” (v. 18).
This is our hope – and the power to face each day of trial and tribulation, heartbreak and pain, struggle and fear, “weightless trial of intense pressure.” We can rest in the knowledge that while this day’s troubles are real, the promise of a trouble-free eternity full of glory is equally real, yet infinitely longer. This truth provides an anchor to cling to when the storms of life threaten to drown us.
If your life feels more like intense pressure and less like weightless trifle, take heart. You will not only survive, but thrive, because God’s presence surrounds you and an exceeding and eternal weight of glory awaits you.
Now it’s your turn. How has the promise of eternity sustained you during an overwhelming trial? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. If you’re reading by email, click HERE to visit Hungry for God online and leave a comment.
That's in the Bible? I've never noticed that before!
It's probably been too long since you've newly discovered a story that speaks to your soul or a verse that pops with truth. But that's about to change!
Refresh Your Faith contains 66 culturally relevant, story-driven devotions, one from each book of the Bible. Each real-life story spotlights an unusual verse or Bible passage that you may have overlooked in your usual Bible reading. Lori Hatcher challenges you with additional features like an uncommon thought to ponder; an unusual faith action step; and an unfamiliar passage suggestion for additional Bible reading.
When the fabulous has become familiar and your quiet times are more like nap times, it's time to step out of spiritual boredom and ignite the spark that will keep you growing. No matter where you are on your faith journey, Lori's conversational and engaging style will challenge you to think about things you've never thought about before.
“Real-life inspiration and candid wit. These 5-minute devotions will change your life.” —Psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Kevin Leman, commenting on Lori Hatcher's devotional style
Are you hungry for God, but starving for time?
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord.
Sign up for a free subscription to Hungry for God by CLICKING HERE.
Then, be sure to VALIDATE the confirmation email you receive.
Note: I promise never to spam you or share your email address.
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord.
Sign up for a free subscription to Hungry for God by CLICKING HERE.
Then, be sure to VALIDATE the confirmation email you receive.
Note: I promise never to spam you or share your email address.
Because busy women need to connect with God in the craziness of everyday life.
That promise is what I'm holding onto this very morning my friend. As fear and trepidation seek to overwhelm us, I'm praying for God's supernatural strength and faith needed to withstand the trial. Thank you for sharing God's word with me this morning. Much appreciated ma'am.
ReplyDeleteI, too, find great comfort in this promise, J.D. Sometimes it's the anchor that holds us during turbulent times. Thanks for stopping by today :)
DeleteI read this this morning while I’m sitting in a hospital room not sure if my husband of 49 years is going to pull through. Yeah uncertainty can just be overwhelming one moment and then I can feel the peace of Jesus the next please pray for my husband’s his name is John thank you for sharing this today
ReplyDeleteDear Friend,
DeleteI'm praying right now that God will have mercy on your precious husband, John, and on you as well. May you sense God's presence as he holds you through this trial. Do not fear. God is near.