When Jesus left this earth and returned to heaven, He explained that He was going ahead of us, to prepare a place for us (John 14:2)—a place where there will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain (Revelation 21:4). “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:9–10 NKJV). Knowing what glories, eternal joy, and rewards await us in heaven makes our present difficulties, trials, and tribulations bearable.
Our time on earth is an important part of God’s plan for each of us, but it doesn’t end here. Everything we go through now is not only making us into the men and women we need to be to fulfill His purpose for our lives, but it’s also preparation for the next life. The Bible says that as we contemplate the Lord’s glory, we ourselves are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory (2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV).
So when life is a daily struggle and you wonder whether it’s really worth it or if you’re making a difference in the world around you, remember what lies ahead. When your time on earth is over and you meet Jesus and enter His heavenly kingdom, if you have “kept the faith” you’ll receive a reward beyond description for having fought the “good fight” (2 Timothy 4:7–8).
Your heavenly Father watches over you and loves you, and everything that He allows to come into your life—whether it seems good or bad at the time—will ultimately work together for your good (Romans 8:28). If you trust Him through it, you will become a better, wiser, more loving and useful Christian—a tool in His hands, a vessel through which He can pour forth His love and Word to comfort and strengthen others and to bring lost souls to Him.
Keeping your eyes fixed on the final destination—heaven—will encourage and reassure you that the difficulties you go through in this life are worth it all. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).