Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

I cannot tell you how happy I am to read that. What about you? There is nothing we can go through in this fallen world that is even close to the glory, abundance, and honor which will be revealed in us. My friends, there is always hope. There is no reason for us to endure trouble as those who have none. Paul declares a firm conviction reached on the basis of the Gospel.  That fixed conviction is this: Future glory outshines any present suffering.

This is a powerful truth that can change our lives. But in Romans 8, Paul doesn’t only mention suffering, but the inevitability of suffering. Is it worth it? The answer is YES! What if the troubles of today were gone? There would be no hope for something better. This world as it currently is would be it. But, what if the troubles of today buoyed up our hopes for tomorrow? My friend, they do, but the only by the work of Christ.

The glory that is to come outshines any suffering we may presently endure. Once when comedian Bob Hope received a major award he responded, “I don’t deserve this, but then I have arthritis and I don’t deserve that either.” What do you have that you feel you don’t deserve? Or what have you experienced that is negative … that you feel you don’t deserve? We all have these things in our lives. Why? Because we’re sinful people in a sin scarred world. None-the-less, for those who know Jesus as Lord and Savior, future glory outweighs present suffering. God doesn’t expect you to enjoy suffering. But you can rejoice in the anticipation of the future, knowing that your present suffering pales in significance compared to the glory you will share when Jesus Christ returns.