2 Corinthians 4:17-18

‘ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.. (NIV’)
• DAILY READING – – Mark 1:21-45; 2 Samuel 3:2-39; Daniel 2:1-23

Pictures are developed 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 the pictures possible. In the same way God allows us to be developed in the dark rooms of life. It is in this dark place that we are worked on, and tested with different chemicals until the right image of Christ emerges in us. If we pass through difficult, trying situations and it seems everything around us is dark, we must endure knowing that we are coming out colorful and 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’. (NIV)
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’. (NKJ)
Different challenges can represent the dark rooms of life for us. The important thing when we pass through these dark rooms is to know that we are there for development. We are being processed. We are there to come out better than how we went in.
God is working out His will in our lives. We must be patient to undergo the process. We do not rush through the stages; we endure every ‘chemical’, knowing that everything is working together to produce the image of Christ in us. Only when the process is complete do we become Christ like. This is when Christ is fully formed in us. When you emerge colorful, beautiful and full of the glory of God, it is because you have patiently endured the process of the dark room development.
Romans 5:3-5 says ‘Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.’ (NIV)
Passing through the process of being developed into a Christ like image is not easy. We will face many challenging situations. God will keep allowing things to come our way that will help our development. There will be discomfort, there will be trials, there will be pain. But 2 Corinthians 2:14 says ‘Now thanks be unto God who always causes us to triumph in Christ.’
The fact that God causes us to triumph always, means that there are challenges always. Champions are made from triumphing over challenges. A triumph comes as a result of a hard struggle where one of the contenders eventually emerges victorious. Life is a battle. But no matter the challenge or the dark room process we have to pass through, the good news is that God has ordained constant victory for us. And this victory comes from our faith. For this is the victory that overcomes the world even our faith. Your victory is tied to your faith. That is your foundation for victory. It is not faith in your ability, but faith in God’s supernatural abilities. This is why we constantly draw strength from The Word of God to ensure we keep triumphing. To become Christ like we must become married to The Word of God. It must become our constant companion. Because as long as we remain connected to The Word our victory is always sure.

PRAYER: Lord, by the power from your Word help me to become triumphant over every challenging situation. By Your grace enable me to submit to the process that is turning me into the image of Christ daily. All You have planned for my life must come into full manifestation in this season in Jesus Name.

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The study of The Word will keep shame and disgrace far from you. WORDBITE 222.

[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK METAMORPHOSIS]