2 Corinthians 4:17-18    ‘For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.’

• DAILY READING          Matthew 8:1-13; Exodus 39:1-40:38; Proverbs 18

Photographers develop pictures in a darkroom, using the illumination of a special red light. The film would be transferred somehow to the paper and then the paper would be dipped in several different trays holding chemical solutions. As the photos are moved from tray to tray, the image begins to emerge. The process takes a considerable amount of time and care. If someone opened the dark room door while, this process is going on, too much light would flood in and mess up every piece of film, and the pictures would be ruined. The darkness of that dark room made the proper development of those pictures possible.

Often times, God allows us to be developed in the ‘dark rooms’ of life. It is in those tough times, those seemingly dark place of challenges, that we are worked on and processed, until the right image of Christ emerges in us

God says in Isaiah 48:10 ‘Behold, I have refined thee, and not as silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction’.

Indeed there are times it may seem we are in the furnace of affliction. But if we sometimes pass through difficult, trying situations, we must endure knowing that we are only passing through a refining process. At the end of it, we are coming out more colorful and more beautiful.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 says ‘For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.’

Also Hebrews 12:6 and 11 says ‘For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it’.

We may sometimes pass through different challenges that represent the dark rooms of life. However, the important thing when we pass through these dark rooms is to know that we are there for development. We are there to come out better than we went in. In the darkroom we need to look at things through the “red” of the blood of Jesus. We must learn to see God at work, no matter how tough things  are. We must learn to look beyond the present, and see the eternal benefit and the divine purpose of God. Whatever challenge you may be facing now, be rest assured that God has not forgotten you. He is at work in you both to will and to do of His good  pleasure. He will give you beauty for ashes, He will turn your mourning into dancing. And though, you may not see it now, you are becoming better, indeed things are turning around for you.  And when the process is complete, you will be fully developed and come forth, more colorful, more beautiful and full of the glory of God.

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for granting me the strength and grace to endure every necessary process that will bring forth the image of Christ in me. Whatever I pass through, I know I am coming out a better person in Jesus Name. .

QUOTE

The study of The Word will keep  shame and disgrace far from you.

WORDBITE 222.