As we went through my mom’s things we found the NIV Bible we had given her. Many, I know, have had a tougher go than my mom did . . . but her’s wasn’t an easy road, either. In her 48 short years on this sphere she had known her fair share of struggle and pain. Multiple back surgeries . . . a weakness with alcohol that, when “under the influence”, led her to say and do things she never would have wanted to say and do . . . contributing, eventually, to divorce and living alone . . . and a battle with cancer . . . which the cancer won. But amidst it all she had a passion for people and to serve others. Eventually she knew victory over her “demon.” And, through her battle, she came to know “the higher power that gives strength” . . . she met Jesus, Her rescuer. And through it all, as I learned when I looked through that Bible and saw this verse highlighted, she came to know a truth that grips my heart this morning as I read in Romans 8 . . .

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)

I read this verse this morning and had a flashback to encountering it, highlighted in yellow, in her Bible some 27 years ago. It brought back memories . . . a ton of very good memories growing up in her loving care . . . some not so good memories, as well. And I remember coming across this highlighted portion of Scripture and thanking God that He had graciously brought her to a place where she could live through the “here and now” in the context of the “there and then”.

We all know suffering from time to time. To be sure, the degree of that suffering varies wildly. I can’t imagine the depths of pain known by those in the midst of oppressive regimes . . . or living in underdeveloped countries . . . or living in underdeveloped countries under oppressive regimes. But even in our “land of plenty” and “freedom” there is enough suffering to go around. Whether it be relationships . . . children gone side ways . . . economy gone south . . . health gone AWOL . . . or just our own personal “thorns in the flesh” that everyone, at some level, is acquainted with, we all have experienced . . . or are experiencing . . . “the sufferings of this present time.”

But for those who have tasted and experienced the grace and goodness of God and taken refuge in Him (Ps. 34:8) . . . for those who have experienced a peace that passes understanding (Php. 4:6-7) . . . for those have lifted up their eyes to the hill and known the help the comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth (Ps. 121:1-2) . . . for those look for a city not built with hands in a better country not of this world (Heb. 11:10, 16) . . . for those who possess the hope of sharing in the glory of the risen King of Kings . . . the sufferings of this present time pale in comparison.

There is something about spending even just a few minutes considering the glory that is to be revealed that eases the pain and produces a bit of a smile within the inner man. Something about imagining what it will be like to look upon the blessed and beautiful face of the One who gave Himself for me that says, “It’s going to all work for my good.” Something about the anticipation of going facedown before His thrown and lifting our voices in wonder and worship before His glorious presence that says, “It’s going to be worth it all.”

Oh, to anticipate the glory that is to be revealed . . .