It’s Easier To Endure Now When You Know the Future

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What do you think?

Is it easier to endure today’s suffering when you know the future holds a happy ending?

I believe one of the most significant challenges of suffering is that we wonder if things will ever improve or if this awful pain will last forever.

Jesus was hours away from suffering the unimaginable pain you and I deserve. He knew what was coming and how terrifying it would be for His disciples. But He also knew how it would end and wanted those He loved to remain hopeful and strong.

So, Jesus told them…

 “In a little while, you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.”

John 16:16

Still, they were confused…

Some of the disciples asked each other, “What does He mean when He says, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, but then you will see me,’ and ‘I am going to the Father’? And what does He mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.”

John 16:17–18

Jesus had predicted His death and resurrection repeatedly…

“See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock Him and spit on Him, and flog Him and kill Him. And after three days He will rise.”

Mark 10:33–34

No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live.  When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 

John 14:18–20

No matter how often He told them, the disciples didn’t understand what He meant. So, on this night of His betrayal, the Lord lovingly assured them one more time.

“I said in a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me again. I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.”

John 16:19b–20

That’s the magnitude of our Savior’s love. He could have been focused completely on Himself, but His heart was anxious for His followers. He knew they were about to suffer confusion, fear, and grief. Jesus wanted to help them endure the moment and anticipate the future with hope.

Praise God! His Word says that every word Jesus told His followers about the future came true. So, we can confidently trust the rest of His promises to give us strength and hope when we’re confused by pain and sorrow.

By God’s grace, we have everything to need to live with strength today, holding on to hope for tomorrow.

Paul wrote…

Endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.

Romans 5:4–5

The Holy Spirit reminds us that because Jesus kept His promise to rise from death and reunite with the disciples, you and I can endure today with confident hope—our forever future in the presence of our Savior is secure.

Let’s pray…

A Prayer to Know the Future With
Strength to Endure Now

Heavenly Father, I imagine myself sitting with the disciples sharing their concern and confusion. The One they loved and who loved them told them He was about to go away. The Messiah who would save them was not supposed to leave. It was too soon.

Thank you for the words of encouragement and hope proclaimed by Jesus. His words have given hope to countless generations of people who have loved and trusted Him.

I can live with daily hope because Jesus rose from the dead. I have the strength I need to endure now because Jesus never has nor will abandon us, His Spirit is faithfully with us, filling our hearts with Your love.

Although life is hard and there are days when enduring is difficult, You give me a future full of hope because one day, at Your command, today’s grief will be replaced with eternal joy.

Jesus entered our sinful world and withstood physical pain and suffering. He experienced anger, grief, and betrayal. Yet, He never sinned. He braved each day knowing the beautiful future He was preparing for us.

I love You, Lord. And with Your Spirit’s help, I will thank and praise You even when it’s hard to endure today’s trial. I give myself to You, my Savior and my God. Amen.

Here are some of my favorite quotes about enduring today with strength because we know the future…

Discouraged not by difficulties without, or the anguish of ages within, the heart listens to a secret voice that whispers: “Be not dismayed; in the future lies the Promised Land.” ~Helen Keller

Why am I discouraged?
    Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
    I will praise Him again—
    my Savior and my God!

Psalm 42:5

“Hope is called the anchor of the soul (Hebrews 6:19) because it gives stability to the Christian life. But hope is not simply a ‘wish’ (I wish that such-and-such would take place); rather, it is that which latches on to the certainty of the promises of the future that God has made.” ~ R. C. Sproul

So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.

John 16:22

Are you struggling to endure today? Give it to God and ask Him to give you the strength and hope you need, thanking Him for the future you have been promised in Christ Jesus.

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