Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Have you ever had scripture become real to you in a new way? I must confess until yesterday this passage in Romans 8 held a whole different understanding for me. Then the culmination of personal suffering resulted in glory revealed. Was it worth it? Yes, you better believe it.

It wasn’t pleasant to experience nor was it pleasant to watch. People worried about me as I struggled thru my suffering. I am one who exhibits suffering, I do not hide it. I believe in being real with the people around me. How else would they know I am in distress? I had people praying for me even though they had no idea what to pray for, and neither did I.

It is over now and the joy I share “as He carried me there” no other shall ever know. Well that isn’t exactly true, the one more part of the body of Christ who joined us knows.

V19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

Manifestation was seen.

V20, 21 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

I always thought of this in future terms, but isn’t today yesterday’s future? I just never thought of this in terms that I would be subjected to vanity, suffering that did not produce expected results. I did not know the joy I would feel from that finished work, so the suffering was well worth it.