The Holy Spirit opened up some Scriptures to me recently, bringing fresh revelation that I believe can change our focus and bring the Kingdom of God into our situations!
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:17-18)
He emphasized the word “while” to me. While we keep our eyes on the eternal realm, recognizing God is doing something in our affliction, this affliction will be working for us an exceeding and eternal weight of glory. If we don’t keep our eyes focused on the eternal, on the truth that God is working something in it, we’ll just be miserable and prolong the process; it will not be working for us a weight of glory.
We have to press through the veil of the flesh into the unseen realm, looking for a city with foundations whose builder and maker is God (Heb. 11:10). He is building something in you! Jesus has given us His glory (John 17:22), but our flesh and soul are shouting loudly to have first place in our focus, how we feel and our personal viewpoint based on past experiences. We have to choose what we focus on. Is our faith in the affliction, or in what God is doing to conform us to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29, 12:2; Phil. 3:10; 1 Pet. 1:14-16)?
The Narrow Place
In the Greek, the word “affliction” (thlipsis) means “a pressing,” “pressure,” “anguish,” “trouble” and “straits.” Its root word (thlibo) means “to crowd” and “restricted to a ‘narrow’ place” (Strong’s Concordance). This affliction is intended to crowd out the fleshly and soulish mindsets, pushing them to the surface so you can see them and choose the Spirit of God and mind of Christ, in order for the glory of God to come forth!
We are being moved through the narrow place so that the new can be birthed. It is painful. Olives are pressed for the oil to come forth. Grapes are squeezed for new wine. Gems are formed in pressure, then cut so the light shines through. Plants are pruned to bear more fruit, and/or to be trained in another direction. Trust God! He is working in us always – no matter what it looks like (Phil. 2:13; Heb. 13:20-21). (Photo via Unsplash)
We are called to eternal glory, and this process is perfecting us (1 Pet. 5:10). There is a glory in us that needs to come forth! Paul said it well, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18).
Grace and Peace Multiplied to You!
There is a grace and peace available to us in this process; in fact, it can be multiplied. How? Through the knowledge of God and our Lord Jesus Christ!
“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” (2 Pet. 1:2-3)
Every time you gain knowledge of HIM you have grace and peace multiplied to you! “To know someone” is often used to describe intimacy in the Bible. In intimacy, you become more aware of His presence and unfailing love, and more grace and peace are multiplied to you. Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Is. 9:6). “Prince,” in the Greek, means “governor,” “ruler” and “captain.” Let Jesus and His peace rule your life, rather than your thoughts and emotions.
“Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)
In Strong’s Concordance, the word “keep” (phroureo) means “to be a watcher in advance, i.e. to mount guard as a sentinel.” Thayer’s Greek Lexicon states that it means “to guard, protect by military guard, either in order to prevent hostile invasion, or to keep the inhabitants of a besieged city from flight.” The peace of God will be as a military guard over our hearts and minds!
Let and Let Not
There are two key verses the Holy Spirit highlighted to me as I studied these things; take note of the “let” and “let not”:
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” (Col. 3:15)
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John. 14:27) (Photo via Pixabay)
This is where we have to exercise our will – to let the peace of God rule, and let not our hearts be troubled or afraid. Press through the veil of the flesh into the truth that the Holy Spirit of God is in you, and let Him rule! He is ready and willing to help you, to illuminate truth to you, and to remind you that Christ Himself is interceding for you (Heb. 7:25)!
Rise Above
Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5)! The word “obedience” in the Greek (hupakoe) means “attentive hearkening.” Take every faithless thought captive to what He is saying! Rise up in your thoughts to the truth that you are seated with Him in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6; Col. 3:1). Through His Blood we are seated with Him positionally, but we are also still in our bodies here physically. We are vessels filled with the Holy Spirit to bring the Kingdom of God to the earth.
Begin creating new patterns. Rise above and receive the vision, wisdom, strength and joy of the One who has created all things and ordained the works you are to walk in (Eph. 2:10). Fix your mind on the truth that God is right now working in you (Phil. 2:13) – that affliction is working for you an exceeding and eternal weight of glory while you look not on the things you see, but the unseen realm where He is.
There is an abundant supply of the Spirit available for you to receive these truths. Let them reverberate throughout your being until they become part of you and transform your life. Let your flesh and soul be pressed until they lose their grip and you can freely walk in the Spirit, being carriers of His glory, and releasing His grace and peace to everyone you come into contact with. Through you, let His Kingdom come on Earth as it is in Heaven!
Alane Haynes
Eternal Truth Now Ministry
Email: eternaltruthnowministry@gmail.com
Website: www.alanehaynes.com
Alane Haynes was radically saved in 1981, when the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to her. She immediately received salvation, deliverance and a supernatural healing of her body and mind. An apostolic and prophetic teacher and speaker, Alane has authored four books. The first, “Moses – Shocked in the Desert,” was birthed from a prophetic dream and many nights of Holy Spirit waking her to “Write what I tell you.” She podcasts through Charisma Podcast Network; “Stirring of the Waters” is her show. Alane and her husband Kerry are co-founders of “Eternal Truth Now Ministry,” and are broadcasters on Holy Spirit Broadcasting Network (hsbn.tv). They are passionate about the power of God’s word, and desire to see people fulfill their God-given destinies and bring His Kingdom to the earth. When they are not ministering, Alane and Kerry enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren, and outdoors enjoying the beauty of God’s creation.