Finding Comfort in Romans 8:18

In the wake of the recent violence around the world, it's easy to find yourself more and more discouraged when it comes to your outlook of the world. You wake up and dread turning on the news, waiting to hear about the next devastating story. 
 
Heavy-hearted, I was reading in Romans one morning and stumbled upon Romans 8:18: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us”. I first thought of all the sufferings of this time: soldiers who don’t return home, the enslaved, genocides in other countries, the godless voices drowning out those that speak with truth. Then I thought of the glory waiting for me in heaven: the unimaginable joy, the grandeur, the complete absence of pain. Romans does not only say that the glory of Heaven will be greater than the pain on earth; it says that the difference is so vast that the two are not even worth comparing. Many of you probably feel the same heaviness that I carry with me, and may also be mourning over our nation and all the hurt it contains. As Christians, however, we have hope that outlasts the trials we face.  


As Hebrews 6:19 says, “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain”. Whenever you feel dismayed with the world and unsure of our future, remember that God truly has conquered all, and we already know the outcome of the battles we fight. The hope that Christ places in us is more sure and steadfast than anything we can manufacture and deeper than any relationship we can foster. 

The light of Christ within us is meant to be shared, so don’t keep it to yourself! There are plenty of ways to get involved and help out in your community. Also, there are plenty of charity organizations that welcome help from kids too, so there’s no reason that giving back can’t be a family adventure. The San Antonio Food Bank, for one, has great service opportunities that you can explore. The world as we know it can be a discouraging place, but we can still do something by praying for those around us and volunteering for causes we hold dear.