Suffering and Glory: Holding On to Hope in the In-Between

Present Sufferings Are Real

Life isn’t always easy. Pain, disappointment, and grief come at us from every direction. Paul doesn’t sugarcoat this in Romans 8:18—he acknowledges the reality of suffering. However, he immediately reminds us that what’s coming is far better. The glory that God will reveal to us far outweighs any trial we face now. Paul doesn’t deny our suffering—he puts it in perspective.

Dark storm clouds parting with rays of golden sunlight shining through, symbolizing hope after hardship. — Even the darkest skies break for light. #HopeInChrist

All Creation Is Groaning

The world we live in is broken. Romans 8:19–22 paints a picture of all creation groaning as if in labor pains. Sin fractured everything—not just humanity, but the entire created order. We see it in natural disasters, disease, and decay. This groaning reminds us that things are not as they should be. But it also reminds us something new is coming. Just like labor pains precede new life, our present groaning points toward a future restoration.

A symbolic scene featuring an empty wheelchair and a pair of shoes placed beside it at the entrance to Heaven’s gates, representing healing and transformation. — An empty wheelchair and shoes rest before Heaven’s gate—a visual reminder that suffering ends where glory begins.

A broken mirror reflects a young man’s face—shattered on one side, whole on the other. — The world may feel fractured, but God’s promise is restoration.

Hope in the “Already/Not Yet”

Romans 8:23–25 teaches us how to live in the tension. We’ve already been adopted as God’s children, but we’re still waiting for the full experience of that reality. We’ve received the Spirit, but we still wrestle with weakness. This is the “already but not yet” of the Christian life. Our hope anchors us in the middle of this tension. Hope isn’t wishful thinking—it’s confident expectation based on God’s promises. And hope gives us the strength to keep going.

A small green sprout pushes up through dry, cracked earth, symbolizing new life emerging from brokenness. — Even creation groans—but God promises restoration.

An open Bible with tear stains on the page and a wedding ring resting beside it, symbolizing grief and hope after losing a spouse. — Grief doesn’t get the final word—hope does.

Living Room Truth: The Tension Is Personal

Let’s bring this into the living room. I live in the tension. My wife Wendy died not long ago, and that pain still cuts deep. But I know the resurrection is real, and that gives me hope. I hope to sit down one day with Paul and Peter and talk about faith and failure. I hope to see my dad again, who died when I was just four. And I hope to see Wendy—healthy, whole, and radiant in glory. I cling to the promise of Revelation 21:4, which says that in heaven, God will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain.

That kind of hope doesn’t ignore the pain—it carries us through it.

A beautifully set dining table with empty chairs, bathed in warm sunlight, symbolizing a heavenly reunion. — An empty table filled with light—because Heaven holds a seat for you.

Final Thoughts

This passage in Romans 8 is a reminder that even when life hurts, God’s glory is ahead. Our present sufferings don’t have the final word—glory does. The world may groan, but we groan with hope. And hope changes everything.

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Read the other posts in our Romans 8 series: https://discipleblueprint.com/category/romans/