I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 NIV

The interesting think about this verse is that it says that the present situation or challenge that you are going through is not worth comparing with the glory that you will see in the future. As believers we need to resolve in our heart that the hard times that we are going through now will only be a faint memory in the future. This is because of the glory that will be revealed in the future. Hold on to the vision of future glory that will be revealed in you. Just remember it has to come.

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” – Mark 4:35-41 NIV

The simple truth that we need to remember here is that if Jesus says you are going over to the other side and he’s in the boat of your situation, then you will make it! It doesn’t matter what storms of life or any other situation that come in between times. You will make it over.

Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. – Colossians 1:24-27 NIV

Suffering is sometimes necessary for spiritual development. I believe that this was part of the message that Paul was trying to communicate here. But it’s through the suffering through that challenge that we can learn and reflect Jesus’ character, conduct and attitude bringing God glory as we go through suffering.

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. – Romans 8:24-25 NIV

Hope is a joyful expectation about the future trusting that our tomorrow will be greater than yesterday. Real hope combines our trust in God as our loving heavenly Father that though we don’t know the specifics, we know that it will work out in our favour because of his great love for us.

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my Lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. – 2 Kings 6:15-17 NIV

When the time of trouble comes always pray this prayer over your self or for others. This is a great reminder that when a tough time comes we can be confident that there are more on our side than there is against us when we are in Christ.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. – Hebrews 11:1-3 NIV

Hope and faith go together. Hope will cause you to see a future vision in your mind and faith in God will cause it to come to pass in your life. When going through tough times we all need to remember what we are hoping to God for and have faith in him to bring it to pass. Remember that the everything you see in the natural was first conceived in someone’s spirit and visualize in our minds before it was seen in the natural.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” – Luke 2:25-32 NIV

If God have you a promise he will keep you around to see it. We are all a part of Gods redemptive plan for humanity. God is working though all of us now. As long as we are submitted to his will and have a promise for something in the future, there is no tough time or challenge that will make God turn into a liar. He will allow you to see all the promises that he spoke over your life to come to pass. And until it happens no weapon of the enemy can prosper against it. I’m also reminded of Job 42:2 where is says that God can do all things and no plan of his can he stopped.

And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. – Mark 5:25-29 NIV

Just think about how hard this woman had to push through the crowd in order to touch Jesus. All while bleeding. There may be times when you have to persevere in prayer and praise to push through in the spiritual realm to touch Jesus in order to get the breakthrough that you are believing God for. God does not want you to be in pain but he wants you to grow. The challenge that you or I face could be there so strengthen us for our future assignment that God has for us. Keep this in mind as you go through tough situations.