Let me share an eternal truth that can encourage you:

When you’re confident about what will happen eventually, you have more courage for what is happening currently.

Here’s what I mean. When you know that God is eternal, and that one day he is going to one day make all things new and finally eliminate all mourning and crying and death and pain, it gives you more courage for the difficulties you’re currently dealing with. After all, they’re temporary.

Imagine a military troop in battle. They’re outnumbered and under siege by enemy soldiers. As a result, they’re feeling down and out. But then word comes that another one of their units is on the way to provide some big-time backup. In light of this new information, they get a second wind and their hearts inflate with courage!

That’s what it’s like when we know God’s big picture plans. We might not know every little detail, but we know that sickness and pain will not last, that strife will give way to peace, and that hope will trample on the head of despair (Revelation 21:1-5).

In fact, what happened to Jesus at the resurrection happens to everyone who trusts in him (Ephesians 2:6)!

That’s why Paul says we can “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12).

Have courage. We’ve been given a glimpse of the scoreboard at the end of the game of life. Sickness, pain, strife and despair lose. God wins. And you are his.

When you’re confident about what will happen eventually, you have more courage for what is happening currently.

By Matthew Ruttan

–[New] “Interview: Coronavirus, Perspective & Love.” Here’s an 18-minute interview I had with David Mann at Life 100.3FM on March 16. We discuss changes in ‘doing church,’ the power of God (vs fear), ways to be loving in a pandemic, leveraging resources, government in times of uncertainty, and prayer. If you want to listen in, here’s the link.

Other Resources:
–“6 ways to be loving in a pandemic” (blog)
–“Coronavirus, Fear & Faith” (blog)
–“Who. You. Are.” That’s my most recent sermon about unshakable identity as followers of Jesus.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.