Suffering? Glory?

Good Morning,

Romans 8:18 (NIV)
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18 (AMP)
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us and for us and conferred on us!

Just recently I had the opportunity and pleasure to have a discussion with a very good friend about heaven. You know, what it is, what it will be like, what we will find there, what we will have when we get there. Yes, one of those "light and airy" discussions! Just kidding about the light and airy part. The discussion has caused my mind to give more thought to what we might encounter once this life is over and we enter our true home, heaven. I've thought about all the hard and difficult times that we go through on this planet and during this physical life. I've tried to grasp some concept of the contrast between what we go through now and what we will have when this life is over.

Now, of course, God has gone and given me a Scripture verse that sort of puts my thoughts and feelings into another place. It's pretty simple really. So, here is what God says. There is NO comparison between the sufferings and tough times we experience in this human existence to the absolute glory that will be revealed in us when we enter God's presence in heaven.

I guess that's sort of says it all, doesn't it?

But, even knowing this, we still tend to gripe and complain...even over the small difficulties we suffer...way too much of the time. We give voice to our travails of life and the tribulations we are going through when, let's face it, we would be much better off focusing our minds and thoughts on the glory that will come. I mean, think about it for a moment. What is better to do? Concentrate on trouble? Think about glory that will come? Duh! Doesn't really seem to be that much of a choice, does it? So, why then do we act as we do and continue to give our minds over to our present day hardships and allow them to rule our lives? Seems to me that when we think about it this way, we really ought to be focusing on the glory that will come and that will be revealed in us.

Again, as I so often come to understand, we have a choice. Again, as we have often discussed, life is filled with choices...day by day, hour by hour, even minute by minute. So, here's another for us to consider. Let's choose correctly. It will lead to a better life in the here and now, for sure.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David