Hope in Suffering

Have you ever heard the phrase “tunnel vision”? When you’re driving through a tunnel, you can’t see anything around you except for the exit of the tunnel. We use the phrase to describe someone who is so singularly focused on something that they lose sight of everything and everyone around them. It is common for Christians to get tunnel vision in the midst of suffering. We tend to zero in on our suffering alone and forget about our God and His promises. In Romans 8, Paul states that the suffering we are going through right now is “not worth comparing” to the day Jesus comes back (verse 18). While we wait for that day, Paul writes that we “groan within ourselves” (verse 23). As believers, we groan every time we become frustrated with our sinful tendencies, every time we see evil and injustice in the world, every time a loved one dies. What makes the day Jesus comes back so glorious? The curse of sin that causes so much pain and suffering will be lifted, our bodies will be redeemed, and we will be adopted! Paul writes that this is what we hope for. We can hope with patience in the midst of suffering, knowing Jesus is coming back and the joy of that day and eternity after will far outweigh the suffering we face now. When we’re tempted by tunnel vision, we can remember the blessed hope we have in Christ. • Jonathon Fuller • What things in this life cause you to groan inwardly as you wait for Jesus to come back? • How does remembering Jesus is coming back someday give us strength and encourage us to persevere with hope in the midst of suffering? Not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits—we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. Romans 8:23 (CSB)

Read Verses:

Romans 8:18-25