I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. -Romans 8:18
Dr. Snyder asks if we have heard of the Navy Seal motto during “Hell Week” (the last week of training). It is “Pain is good. Extreme pain is extremely good.” I hadn’t heard it before and I can’t say I agree with it. However, when I hear about the amazing feats a Navy Seal performs, then I realize the end result must be worth the suffering. Dr. Snyder goes on to say:
“Paul wants us to know that our present sufferings (and he had plenty of his own) are nothing compared to the joy that is to come. The great glory, majesty, and just plain joy of being part of God’s final wrap-up of history will cause every present pain and loss to fade into oblivion—forever. It won’t even be a memory there.
We can get through anything if the destination is far better than the ride. In this life, we’ll all get our share of suffering—no one really escapes. Some will have more and some less, but each of us will face the wall. Yet as followers of Jesus, we should keep in mind that the “end” (not just the termination but the destination) will be so far off the charts that our scars in getting there, as great as they may seem, will be so slight that they won’t even be worth mentioning.”
TODAY’S PRAYER: If the strain of the day blurs the destination for you, then ask God to enliven and make clear the joy and glory both of the final end and of the pure pleasure of his deliverance on this side.
Photo By slagheap via Flickr
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