"[But what of that?] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us and for us and conferred on us!" (Romans 8:18 AMPC)
Our present sufferings can never be compared to the glory the Father is keeping in store for us. They are actually infinitesimally small in comparison to the honour and glory. It was the same thing our elder brother, Jesus, endured on the Cross of Calvary.
"Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2 AMPC)
Our Lord Jesus knew the prize that was set before Him. This helped Him to endure the Cross, despising and disregarding the shame. He was able to obtain the prize, He is seated at the right hand of God. Are we also beholding the prize that is set before us? Without proper understanding of the prize that is set ahead of us, we will not go far with God. We must clearly understand all that God has kept in store for us. Our sufferings in this present time are to train and make us fit for the glory ahead. We will not only enjoy this glory in heaven, there is a measure of it we will experience here on earth.
"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you." (1 Peter 5:10 AMPC)
The suffering is for a little while, but afterwards, He will complete and make us what He originally intended for our lives. He will firmly establish and make us to be grounded in Himself. He will also release strength that we need to reign on His behalf on earth and later in heaven, at the close of this age. He will finally settle us here and in the hereafter.
Therefore our present sufferings are not aimless, they have purposes to achieve for God. We must understand and embrace this truth.
ACTION PLAN: Stop the self-pity today, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the prize that is set ahead of you.
PRAYER: Holy Spirit open my eyes to see the prize and glory that the Father is keeping in store for me.
Our present sufferings can never be compared to the glory the Father is keeping in store for us. They are actually infinitesimally small in comparison to the honour and glory. It was the same thing our elder brother, Jesus, endured on the Cross of Calvary.
"Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2 AMPC)
Our Lord Jesus knew the prize that was set before Him. This helped Him to endure the Cross, despising and disregarding the shame. He was able to obtain the prize, He is seated at the right hand of God. Are we also beholding the prize that is set before us? Without proper understanding of the prize that is set ahead of us, we will not go far with God. We must clearly understand all that God has kept in store for us. Our sufferings in this present time are to train and make us fit for the glory ahead. We will not only enjoy this glory in heaven, there is a measure of it we will experience here on earth.
"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you." (1 Peter 5:10 AMPC)
The suffering is for a little while, but afterwards, He will complete and make us what He originally intended for our lives. He will firmly establish and make us to be grounded in Himself. He will also release strength that we need to reign on His behalf on earth and later in heaven, at the close of this age. He will finally settle us here and in the hereafter.
Therefore our present sufferings are not aimless, they have purposes to achieve for God. We must understand and embrace this truth.
ACTION PLAN: Stop the self-pity today, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the prize that is set ahead of you.
PRAYER: Holy Spirit open my eyes to see the prize and glory that the Father is keeping in store for me.
