Key Verse: Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us.”There are several things in life that are inevitable. One of those things is the annual tax day. It seems like it comes faster every year. Another inevitability of life is suffering. We all suffer in some way or another. We all deal with the results of an aging body and mind. We all suffer when we see our loved ones die, we all suffer betrayal at the hands of friends and even family. Suffering is one of the guarantees of living in this fallen world. We all deal with suffering. In Romans 8 Paul writes about suffering. Very few people understand suffering more than the apostle Paul. He was imprisoned several times, shipwrecked many times, beaten, nearly stoned to death, and persecuted across the entire Roman Empire. Despite all of his sufferings Paul remained optimistic about life and ministry. Why? Because of the truth of V.18. All the suffering in this life is worth it due to what awaits us in the next life. Heaven is going to be so great, so awesome, that we should never allow the sufferings of this life to steal our joy. As Paul continues in chapter 8 we get more details on what makes the next life so good. One of the greatest joys of heaven will be having a body like Jesus. We will have a perfect human body free from all suffering. This body will be free from pain, free from sadness and mourning. It will also be free from sin and death. In heaven there will be no more suffering! Friends, we as Christians never have any real reason to live in negativity and depression due to the reality that awaits us Heaven. This week I want to challenge you to think daily upon how great heaven will be, particularly how awesome it will be to have a body with no suffering. As you do this it will give you the motivation to stay optimistic and joyful as you suffer. We can suffer while being joyful because of what Jesus has accomplished for us!
