October 7, 2024

Romans 8.18 (NIV)

For I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

We’ll never suffer more than Jesus suffered.*

Paul’s audience knew something about suffering for their faith – probably more than I will ever experience - but I have had some dark places in my life. In those times of suffering, I was very aware of the premise (and the promise) of this verse. Faith in the truth of these words helped to keep me going and to develop a more healthy and Christlike attitude. Now I look back at those days and know that I am living proof of how God works in our lives. If “good” and “bad” were equal units of weight, the good in my life would far outweigh the bad – and that’s nothing compared to the “glory that is to be revealed.” Glory is forever; suffering is temporary.

God doesn’t allow pain in our lives just to teach us about endurance. What we suffer enables us to turn our “infirmities into assets.”* Learn and grow from your experience and use it to bless others. 

Suffering coaxes us to throw away our immature ideas about God.*