just like in exercise

Today in the One Year Bible, we read one of my favorite passages in Romans 8:9-25. Paul tells the Romans, and us, that we WILL suffer in this life.

BUT.

He says that what we suffer now will be nothing compared to the glory we experience later. That seems hard to grasp, until you think about exercise. When you work out, it's not easy. It's painful, and difficult, and you struggle and suffer. It hurts.

But then you get healthier. You get stronger. You're able to do things you couldn't before. And at one point along the way, working out becomes a joy. It's fun. You look forward to it.

That's how it is with suffering in this life. The suffering is real, don't doubt that. It's not an illusion. But it IS temporary. And the joy that follows is forever.

God, thanks for teaching us the value of suffering.