Short-term Pain, Long Term Gain
Jed N. Snyder, D. Min. Founder/President Jesus Every Day Ministries, Inc. | www.jedministries.com
W
hen our military members die so that the rest of us may live, we are humbly grateful. Seventy years after the Great War ended we are enjoying the benefits gained by the blood of our men and women in uniform. The pain of parents, spouses, engaged couples suffered because their loved one died is nearly incomprehensible. Their grief did not seem short-term to them, but the long-term benefit that was gained makes it so. We honor these brave men and women and their families. Because my father was partially disabled he did not have to serve. I was born during the war. Because of this I never felt the pain that so many have felt, but I have received the long-term gain. My family benefits from the sacrifices of so many. In a similar way believers in Jesus Christ have benefited from his short-term pain. He died a terrible death. His mother watched at the foot of the cross. We who
may 2017
believe, have long-term gain. We have eternal life. We have our guilt-producing sin forgiven. Our quality of life is nearly indescribably good because he bore the pain. Here are the words of our Lord: …it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. John 16:7-11 The short-term pain that the disciples felt was small when compared with the long term gain that we have received by experiencing God, the Holy Spirit living in us. Happy gaining a long-term view.
CityLight.org
21