Are You Putting On Weight?

“Are you putting on weight?” I DO NOT recommend asking someone this question when you see them after time apart! We may know the honest answer is yes, but not many of us want anyone else to know we are, indeed, putting on weight. But I hope you’ll keep reading and discover that putting on weight isn’t so bad after all.

II Corinthians 4:7-10, 17 states: “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken, cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,”

We are earthen vessels. We’re clay. But that’s a good thing! Because it makes the power evident in us and through us (His Spirit) all about Him! The following Scriptures become even more meaningful and life-changing because we operate under His power:

• We may be troubled—beset by problems or conflict, yet not distressed. We’re not anxious, sorrowful, or in pain; we’re not bothered.
• Perplexed—completely baffled; very puzzled, but not in despair. We do not have the feeling of complete loss or absence of hope.
• Persecuted—harassed or annoyed persistently. Ill-treated but not forsaken, abandoned, or deserted.
• Cast down—depressed, gloomy, blue, unhappy, miserable but not destroyed, ruined emotionally or spiritually; defeated; wiped out.

Read verse 17 and notice the word “affliction.” The word means pressure (literally or figuratively); anguish, burden; persecution; tribulation; trouble.

But our “light affliction” works for us! It is accomplishing, finishing, doing, working out, and causing.

These light afflictions, these momentary issues that we all face at one time or another, or one after the other (we would not call them “light,” I’m sure), are working for us!

It’s a workout, and we don’t have to go to the gym, get on the treadmill, or do Pilates and other exercises.

Jesus’ workout program goes against everything we think and know or think we know about how it should be. He takes all our issues and works through them for us. He’s preparing us to bring Him glory, honor, dignity, praise, and worship.

Remember II Corinthians 4:7, the excellency of the power is of God, not us.

So, if you’re facing trouble, tribulation, persecution, depression, or puzzlement, look into the spiritual mirror and say, “I think I’m putting on weight—glory weight!”