Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
We are often too short-sighted to see the big picture of eternity. We get caught up in the daily routines and mundane activities of just living and not often think of eternity. We are blindsided by our suffering and do our best to deal with the daily stresses we all face. The verse reminds us that there is something beyond our suffering. Glory is a key theme in this letter and occurs 17 times. Our goal is to be remade into the glory God intended us to have and to be able to experience his glory in part in this life and in full in eternity. This glory is revealed “in us.” There is something deep and profound God wants to do in us. Glory is related to praise and honor. God turns our shame and disgrace into glory and honor. To get to this glory often requires that we experience suffering. Suffering gives us the opportunity to grow our faith and trust. Experiencing suffering is not pleasant and may even come at great cost. But we must consider the goal of suffering, which is to be refined like gold (1 Peter 1:3-9). The hymn writer reminds us:
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