When we look at a world that is broken and suffering beyond comprehension, it sometimes seems impossible to find joy, hope, or peace. We can't help but be constantly reminded of the suffering around us and the brokenness within us, we are burdened, but we can have courage, for we have a Savior that suffers with us, and a Savior who promises peace. For He is God on the mountain, and He is God in the valley.

In John 16 Jesus puts our time on earth into a simple yet powerful illustration. We are to think of it like a women in child birth. In the words of Jesus, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and our hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you." (John 16:20-22) 

This earth is truly NOT OUR HOME. We are in a VERY temporary dwelling, one that is with out a doubt, prone to destruction, pain, and trial. This should make us yearn for our true and eternal home built in heaven. When we truly know that this dwelling is temporary, our vision changes. Our main and only desire becomes knowing Jesus and serving the builder and creator of our eternal dwelling. Make it your goal to please him, and remember the time you have on this earth is short, worldly pleasures are fading, and trials are coming—but there is a true home in heaven waiting for us. A home that is free from destruction, death, trial, pain, and tears. A home with unceasing joy...so be of good courage. There will be a day when our sorrow turns to joy and when death is no more. 

2 Corinthians 5:1-9... For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

Prayer

Lord,

Thank you for your promises that stand for ever.

Thank you for your promise of a future home. 

Give me unceasing peace and joy in the midst of the destruction and trial that surrounds me on every side.

Help me to be of good courage, to walk by faith and not by sight.

Thank you for our future hope, and our present peace, found in the sacrifice of Jesus.

Give me the strength to make it my aim to please you in all that I do.

Lord Jesus, come!

Amen