The Amazing Work of the Spirit in YouНамуна

The Glory of the Sufferings

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

The sufferings of this present time can be formidable. Unrelenting back pain; deep, dark, hopeless depression; a spouse betraying you and abandoning you; abuse by a parent who is supposed to protect you; or the death of a child. These things are overwhelming, and yet Paul says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Was Paul naïve? Did he live in a protective bubble?

Hardly! When Paul came to faith, God said, “For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9:16).

In 2 Corinthians 11:24-27, Paul wrote: “Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.”

No, there was no protective bubble for Paul, and yet Paul makes this astounding statement: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Glory? The immediate presence of God. Unbounded joy, peace, and love. Transformed body. Sinless heart. No pain, disease, or death. Incredibly rich relationships with people. Glory!

The sufferings of the present age, however great they are, cannot be compared to the glory of the next age. As S. Lewis Johnson summarized Paul’s response, “Suffering is a drop. Glory is the ocean.” Paul said he considered this to be true. He adopted this perspective on suffering. He stood on this truth when the pain was overwhelming.

We must do the same thing. Cling to this truth. Cling to it and don’t let go. The sufferings of the present day cannot be compared with the glory that awaits us.