Over recent weeks and months, it seems that our nation and community is overwhelmed with sad news. Many are burdened with loss and grief. God’s people are not immune to hard times…but we do have hope…

The Christian life is not an easy one. We face countless hardships, trials, and temptations. We juggle the demands of family, career, and church responsibilities. We fret about health and finances. We grieve over the loss of loved ones. All too easily, we become weary and disillusioned as we question our hope and purpose.

When daily burdens become overwhelming, I love to read Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. He reminds them to not lose heart when they have trials and persecutions. He encourages his fellow believers to fix their eyes on Jesus instead of the things of this world. He writes that our troubles are “light and momentary” compared to the eternal glories to come.

To gain perspective, it is essential to take time to set aside worldly cares and focus on eternal joys.

I like to envision the beautiful reunions in store for the believer. Wives will be reunited with husbands. Parents will joyfully embrace their children. Mothers will tenderly cradle little ones that were lost to them on earth. Friends and family who have been temporarily separated will come together and celebrate.

And we will all meet at Jesus’ feet, our hungry eyes feasting on His awesome and precious face. 

How wonderful to know that in Christ, we have a solid hope and future! How comforting that at this very moment, Jesus is preparing eternity for us. And how amazing that our Creator actually wants us to spend forever in His presence.

Oh, what joy waits for us!

Precious Lord, how I delight in knowing that I’ll be spending eternity with You! Thank you for Your promise of eternal life. Thank you for walking with me each day, and for putting my earthly troubles into heavenly perspective.

 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

(From Time Out: A Quiet-time Devotional, edited)