Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Think of it — not just us longing for heaven, but the whole creation longs for return to “life before the fall. . .” where trees didn’t die of disease, plants didn’t wither, there was no drought.
I think about the “sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. . .” quite often. It really is all about perspective. The sufferings of this present time are temporary; they will not last forever (even if they last the rest of my life). The glory that will be revealed is eternal, and I will forget about any suffering when I see Jesus face to face!
I got another lesson in perspective just yesterday. I woke up yesterday morning with some awful back spasms (the kind where you think someone is stabbing a burning knife into your back). It just wouldn’t go away; ice didn’t help; tylenol didn’t touch it. I was distracted, and my mood was getting irritable, to say the least. I went to the grocery store to get a couple of things, more than anything to distract me from this annoying pain in my back. I returned home, got my couple of bags out of the car. . .and one of the bags split open and a can of spaghetti sauce fell — on its metal end — right onto my big toe! Oh, my did it ever hurt! Now I have this deep purple line underneath my toenail to remind me that, for at least an hour yesterday, my back didn’t hurt at all! My focus had changed. My perspective had turned elsewhere. It was a gentle reminder from God; “sweet baby girl, are you going to focus on this present discomfort, or are you going to turn your heart and your mind to My promises? Will you let your physical pain rule your emotions, or will you trust in Me?”
In Christ, I have hope. My body may be breaking down, but my spirit is alive in Christ. I may have pain and discomfort and limitations now, but my future is sure, and I will spend eternity with my Savior, where there is no more pain. I have hope. I can wait patiently . . .
Plea for Grace 