~ Romans 8:18
Paul knew suffering firsthand. He was beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, betrayed, and likely carried ongoing weakness in his body. Yet in the midst of all this, he declared with confidence: the glory to come so far outweighs the pain of now that the two cannot even be put on the same scale.
The word Paul uses for consider (logizomai) is an accounting term. It means to calculate, to weigh carefully. Paul is saying: “I’ve done the math. I’ve put present suffering on one side and future glory on the other. And there’s no contest. Glory wins every time.”
This verse is vital when we think about suffering and sickness. Illness is not from God—He never placed it in Eden, and it will not exist in Heaven. It comes from a fallen world, the brokenness of sin, and the enemy’s schemes. But even so, God promises that the suffering we endure here is temporary, while the glory He has prepared for us is eternal.
What is this glory? Later in Romans 8, Paul describes creation itself groaning, waiting for the day when God’s children will be revealed in glory. It is the day when Christ returns, when bodies will be resurrected, when every tear will be wiped away, and when sickness, pain, and death will be gone forever (Rev. 21:4). That is the glory waiting for every believer in Christ.
For those walking through sickness, this truth brings hope. The suffering of today may feel overwhelming, but Paul reminds us: it is not permanent. It is not the end of the story. No matter how heavy, it is “light and momentary” compared with the “eternal weight of glory” that is coming (2 Cor. 4:17).
This doesn’t mean we minimize present pain. God cares deeply about our suffering here and now. He comforts us, strengthens us, and often brings healing. But even when healing doesn’t come in this life, ultimate healing is guaranteed in the life to come. That assurance changes everything. It turns despair into hope, fear into courage, and pain into perspective.
So when sickness or hardship weighs you down, remember Paul’s calculation. The scales are not balanced…glory far outweighs suffering. One day, in Christ’s presence, every scar will be a testimony of His grace, every tear will be redeemed, and every moment of endurance will be crowned with eternal joy.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that my suffering today is not the end of my story. Give me eyes to see beyond the pain to the eternal glory You have prepared. Strengthen me with hope, and remind me that one day, sickness and sorrow will be no more. Amen.
