Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
Hebrews 13:12-14
D. L. Moody told the story of a Christian woman who was always bright, cheerful, and optimistic, even though she was confined to her room because of illness. Moody said, “She lived in an attic apartment on the fifth floor of an old, rundown building. A friend decided to visit her one day and brought along another woman—a person of great wealth. Since there was no elevator, the two ladies began the long climb upward. When they reached the second floor, the well-to-do woman commented, ‘What a dark and filthy place!’ Her friend replied, ‘It’s better higher up.’
“The two women finally reached the attic level, where they found the bedridden saint of God. Although the room was clean and flowers were on the window sill, the wealthy visitor could not get over the stark surroundings in which this woman lived. She blurted out, ‘It must be very difficult for you to be here like this!’ Without a moment’s hesitation the shut-in responded, ‘It’s better higher up.’ She was not looking at temporal things. With the eye of faith fixed on the eternal, she had found the secret of true satisfaction and contentment.”
Those of us who have trusted Christ as Savior will face hardship and trials as long as we live in this world. But no matter how things are going down here, there is hope for the future because in the place God has promised and is preparing for us, there will never be any more sorrow or suffering. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4). If we keep our eyes fixed on what is eternal, we can endure any problems we experience.
