One of the worst things we can do to each other as Christians is pretend like everything is ok when it is not!  Right now, there are things occurring that are not ok.  This pandemic is not ok.  The hatred and racial divide that has overwhelmed our nation is not ok.  Folks struggling financially is not ok.  And for all of us, we probably have many other things going on in our households and in our lives that are not ok!  And you know what?  The worst thing we can do to each other as Christians is say it is a lack of faith if we complain or express the negative feelings about what is going on that is not ok! 

Please understand that being a Christian does not mean you do not feel the pain or react emotionally when things are not going well.  Bad things happen to us all. But here is the difference between us and everyone else in this world, and this is what we need to always remember.  For the unsaved, those who don't have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, what this world throws at them is pretty much all there is, and they are pretty much on their own dealing with whatever, with no guarantees that things will get better.  But, for us, as Christian, we may endure all sorts of trouble in this world, but it is God's promise that it is temporary. 

For those of us proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we are reminded by our scripture today, 2 Corinthians, Chapter 4, For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.  Unlike unbelievers, we have a guarantee!  We have God's promise of eternal life, and salvation, which means we will eventually be saved from everything. 

Restoration and healing is our future, and that is why we always have hope.  We may not understand how or when God is going to put an end to all the stuff that is not ok in our lives, but it is going to happen.  And even if the stuff you are dealing with today is breaking you down physically, mentally, financially, or however, please remember that it is temporary because God promises to fix whatever this world destroys. That is the promise of eternal life!  So, go ahead and complain and fuss about whatever is not ok in your life today, and pray, work, pray, work to make things better, for yourself and for the world, but do it with a smile and with a heart full of hope, because all this stuff is temporary, and always remember God has something better planned for your eternal future!  Amen.