The Glory Ahead
06/24/2026
There are moments in life when the weight of the present feels overwhelming. A diagnosis changes everything. A relationship falls apart. A prayer seems unanswered. We know God is good, but sometimes what we’re walking through doesn’t feel good at all. Romans 8:18 doesn’t ignore suffering or pretend it isn’t real. Instead, it lifts our eyes beyond what we can currently see and reminds us that God is still writing the story.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” - Romans 8:18 (ESV)
Paul wrote these words as someone who knew suffering firsthand. He wasn’t speaking from a comfortable chair with an easy life behind him. He had experienced persecution, imprisonment, rejection, physical hardship, and countless challenges for the sake of Christ. Yet when he looked at everything he had endured, he came to a remarkable conclusion: the pain of today could not compare to the glory that God has prepared.
Paul doesn’t say our suffering isn’t real. He doesn’t minimize it. He doesn’t tell us to simply ignore it and move on. Scripture never asks us to pretend pain doesn’t hurt. Jesus Himself wept. David poured out his heart in the Psalms. Paul often wrote honestly about his struggles.
What Paul does is place suffering in its proper perspective.
It’s a little like looking at a mountain through the windshield of your car. When you’re right up against it, it fills your entire field of vision. It’s all you can see. But when you step back and view it against the backdrop of the entire landscape, you realize it’s only one part of a much bigger picture.
Many of us are facing things right now that seem larger than life. Some are carrying physical pain. Others are dealing with financial pressure, broken relationships, uncertainty about the future, or burdens nobody else knows about. In those moments it’s easy to believe that today’s struggle is the final chapter.
But for the follower of Christ, it isn’t.
The Bible repeatedly reminds us that this world is not our final destination. There is a day coming when every tear will be wiped away. Every injustice will be made right. Every wound will be healed. Every question will be answered. The struggles we face today are temporary, but the glory that awaits us is eternal.
As I read this verse, I can’t help but think about how often God uses our present difficulties to shape us for what lies ahead. The very things we would choose to avoid are often the places where our faith grows deepest. We may not understand the purpose while we’re walking through it, but God has never wasted a trial in the life of one of His children.
If you’re in a difficult place today, don’t give up. Don’t judge God’s faithfulness based solely on your current circumstances. There is more to the story than what you can see right now.
Paul’s confidence wasn’t in his ability to endure hardship. His confidence was in the God who had promised something greater on the other side.
And that same promise belongs to us.
Action Steps
* Thank God for His faithfulness even in an area where you don’t yet see the outcome.
* Spend time reading Revelation 21 and be reminded of the future God has prepared for His people.
* Encourage someone else who is walking through a difficult situation today.
Challenge for the Day
When a difficult thought or worry enters your mind today, intentionally replace it with a promise from God’s Word and remind yourself that your current struggle is not the end of the story.
Prayer
Father, thank You that You see the whole picture when I can only see a small part. Help me trust You in the middle of challenges and disappointments. Strengthen my faith when life feels heavy, and remind me that what lies ahead with You is greater than anything I face today. Give me the courage to keep walking forward, knowing that You are working all things together for Your glory and my good. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
There are moments in life when the weight of the present feels overwhelming. A diagnosis changes everything. A relationship falls apart. A prayer seems unanswered. We know God is good, but sometimes what we’re walking through doesn’t feel good at all. Romans 8:18 doesn’t ignore suffering or pretend it isn’t real. Instead, it lifts our eyes beyond what we can currently see and reminds us that God is still writing the story.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” - Romans 8:18 (ESV)
Paul wrote these words as someone who knew suffering firsthand. He wasn’t speaking from a comfortable chair with an easy life behind him. He had experienced persecution, imprisonment, rejection, physical hardship, and countless challenges for the sake of Christ. Yet when he looked at everything he had endured, he came to a remarkable conclusion: the pain of today could not compare to the glory that God has prepared.
Paul doesn’t say our suffering isn’t real. He doesn’t minimize it. He doesn’t tell us to simply ignore it and move on. Scripture never asks us to pretend pain doesn’t hurt. Jesus Himself wept. David poured out his heart in the Psalms. Paul often wrote honestly about his struggles.
What Paul does is place suffering in its proper perspective.
It’s a little like looking at a mountain through the windshield of your car. When you’re right up against it, it fills your entire field of vision. It’s all you can see. But when you step back and view it against the backdrop of the entire landscape, you realize it’s only one part of a much bigger picture.
Many of us are facing things right now that seem larger than life. Some are carrying physical pain. Others are dealing with financial pressure, broken relationships, uncertainty about the future, or burdens nobody else knows about. In those moments it’s easy to believe that today’s struggle is the final chapter.
But for the follower of Christ, it isn’t.
The Bible repeatedly reminds us that this world is not our final destination. There is a day coming when every tear will be wiped away. Every injustice will be made right. Every wound will be healed. Every question will be answered. The struggles we face today are temporary, but the glory that awaits us is eternal.
As I read this verse, I can’t help but think about how often God uses our present difficulties to shape us for what lies ahead. The very things we would choose to avoid are often the places where our faith grows deepest. We may not understand the purpose while we’re walking through it, but God has never wasted a trial in the life of one of His children.
If you’re in a difficult place today, don’t give up. Don’t judge God’s faithfulness based solely on your current circumstances. There is more to the story than what you can see right now.
Paul’s confidence wasn’t in his ability to endure hardship. His confidence was in the God who had promised something greater on the other side.
And that same promise belongs to us.
Action Steps
* Thank God for His faithfulness even in an area where you don’t yet see the outcome.
* Spend time reading Revelation 21 and be reminded of the future God has prepared for His people.
* Encourage someone else who is walking through a difficult situation today.
Challenge for the Day
When a difficult thought or worry enters your mind today, intentionally replace it with a promise from God’s Word and remind yourself that your current struggle is not the end of the story.
Prayer
Father, thank You that You see the whole picture when I can only see a small part. Help me trust You in the middle of challenges and disappointments. Strengthen my faith when life feels heavy, and remind me that what lies ahead with You is greater than anything I face today. Give me the courage to keep walking forward, knowing that You are working all things together for Your glory and my good. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
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