it is going to get better…

our suffering will pale in comparison to what GOD has in store for HIS followers. i don’t say this to minimize your pain or your suffering. i know many of you have gone through much things worse than i ever have.

but look at this verse and remember it was written by the apostle paul who suffered beatings, shipwrecks, imprisonments, hunger, thirst and homelessness – far more pain than most people ever go through.

he says in 2 corinthians 4.17 (niv), for our light and momentary troubles [this was a guy who five times in his life was whipped by a whip made of leather and bone that shredded his back. he was whipped 39 times at five different times, three different times people took rocks and beat him to a bloody pulp and this guy says, light and momentary troubles] are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

he’s saying, “when i suffer, especially since i'm suffering for JESUS CHRIST, the glory that awaits me far outweighs whatever i'm going through.”

look at romans 8.18 (niv), i consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us. how can we understand that? let me give you an analogy that might help.

let’s say on january 1, 2010 that you had a horrible day – the worst day of your entire life. you went to the dentist for a root canal and half way through it the anesthesia wore off and they didn’t have any left and you’re in horrible pain. then you get in the car and drive home. you crash your car, totaling it. and to make it worse, you crash into your wife’s car. so both cars are now totaled. your stock market portfolio takes a nosedive. your wife gets sick. your friend betrays you and spreads false rumors about you. this was the worst day you ever had.

but then imagine every other day of the year 2010 was absolutely fantastic. on january 2 your rich uncle you didn’t even know about decides to give you your inheritance in advance and he gives you a check for 42 million dollars. you get promoted at work to the job you always dreamed of having. the new york times puts your photo on the front page under the title “person of the year”. your first child is born and he’s healthy and strong and your wife insists that he be named after you. your marriage is ideal. you’ve never felt better in your life. you take a two-month vacation on the beach in tahiti.

so the next year, 2011, a guy comes up to you and asks, “how was your year 2010?” what are you going to say to him? “it was great!” but then the person says, “but didn’t you tell me once that the first day of the year was really bad for you?” and you say, “”you’re right. i don't want to minimize that. it was a very difficult day. but when i look at the totality of the year, when i put everything in perspective it was a tremendous year. the 364 tremendous days far outweigh that one day of pain and suffering.” it just sort of fades away.

just a thought from the front porch…