My dear friend, have you ever wondered what God’s ultimate goal is for our journey here on Earth? It’s easy to think it’s all about a comfy, predictable, and perfectly pleasant life. But if I’m honest, as I write these words, I can’t recall a single biblical figure whom God used mightily who lived that kind of life. Quite the opposite, actually! Folks like King David, Moses, Apostle Paul, Prophet Elijah, and Daniel faced monumental challenges. Yet, their unwavering trust in God’s Word carried them through every single storm.

The Apostle Peter, a man who knew a thing or two about tough times, wrote this encouraging truth:

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to all the world.” (1 Peter 1:6–7, NLT)

In recent years, it seems like a lot of preaching in Christian churches has focused on promising a life overflowing with success and dreams fulfilled, all according to this world’s standards. And whether intentionally or not, this message has sometimes implied that if you’re not living up to that standard, you might not be in God’s perfect will for your life.

But hold on, because Scripture paints a beautiful picture of those who died without seeing God’s promises fully realized in their earthly lives. It says something truly precious about them:

“All these people died still believing what God had promised them. And though they did not receive what was promised, they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking for a country of their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, ¹for he has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:13–16, NLT)

My dear friend, if you’re reading this and you’ve been walking through adversity and suffering, and perhaps you haven’t yet seen that promised relief in your life, please don’t let your faith in God and His Word waver. This season we’re living in here on Earth isn’t guaranteed to be free of suffering. In fact, Jesus Himself warned His disciples that we would face affliction. But eternity, the one that truly matters, that’s the one that will be free from torment for those of us who have embraced Jesus as our Savior and Lord.

So, don’t get discouraged, and don’t turn away. Perhaps we are among those whom God is not ashamed to call His own—those who may not see every promise fulfilled on this Earth, but who will certainly enjoy them in eternity. To Him be all the glory, and may we submit our lives to His perfect wisdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen!