Suffering Now, Glory Later

Well Michelle and I decided to visit the Lubbock assembly this morning. The speaker's message was on God's eternal purpose and how we, as humans are sempiternal (meaning we have a beginning but have no end) and that God is truly eternal (having neither beginning nor end). He talked about several sub-points as well, but in the middle he had shared the verse from Romans 8:18 " For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." This verse really struck home with me. This year has been one of the worst in my life. I have suffered more in the last six months. Yet this reminder from Paul, that even this much suffering isn't worthy to be compared to the glory to come, hit me right between the eyes. 

I think the more we suffer, the more this verse rings true. The more we can realize the truth of this verse and look forward to the glory to come. If all of this suffering, all this pain, isn't even worthy to be compared to the glory to be revealed in us, how great will that glory be? 


My God is so good. He is a comforter and strong tower in time of need. He gives grace to help. He brings friends alongside to ease the way. I am so grateful to Him, despite the heart-ache and the sorrow I've been through, for putting me through it. He also brought to mind James 1:2-4, which states "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

God is working in me. I am still learning to count it all joy. I'm still gaining endurance. But I strive for the goal. Christ is and will be my prize. Praise His name.