Maybe 20 years ago, my then-Sunday school teacher made a statement that has stayed with me: “God is not wasteful.” This passage of scripture seems to bear that out. In this life, we will suffer. We’re trapped in a sinful world, and whether we like it or not, we’ll be affected by it. But hardship teaches us patience and builds our strength; as our patience and strength increases, our Godly character grows; and as we model His strength and peace, we look forward to the reward of heaven. The one thing Christians have that the lost do not is HOPE. The HOPE of a life spent with Him is ours. Yes, our years on the earth might be filled with pain and sorrow, but when we cross heaven’s threshold, all of the pain and sorrow will be cast aside for an eternity of joy in the presence of our Savior. I can’t think of anything better than that.