2Cor. 4:17 For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!],
2Cor. 4:18 Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are eternal.
Phil. 3:8 Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One),
Suffering loss at any level is difficult and disconcerting. We all want things that are pleasant and comfortable to stay the same. We like for our idea of good times and nurturing relationships to always be good and never change. The problem is, in this fallen world, that has yet to see its full redemption manifested, things do change, often unexpectedly. As a matter of fact, you can often spell The Cross, as it is applied to our lives, with the letters C-H-A-N-G-E.
Notice in both of these sets of scripture where loss and affliction are referred to the result is always a glorious return and deposit in our lives that has value stretching even into the ages to come. The Holy Spirit tells us that, during loss and pain, we must maintain an eternal mindset. The word eternal doesn’t speak of Heaven one day in the future, but it speaks of heavenly, spiritual realities to be experienced now, with forever value.
In every loss, if we look beyond the pain and look for the promised Glory and promised Presence, we can advance, even while hurting, as heart-scarred, seasoned Overcomers, whose feet are on the earth and yet whose minds are seated and settled In The Heavenly Places In Christ.