Persevering in Life with the Hope of Heaven
Q: “How can I handle the hardship of life when I simply want to be with Jesus in heaven now?”
A: It's understandable that you want to be with Jesus in heaven right now, especially if you are suffering. While it's good to be focused on the hope of heaven, we can trust God's timing, that He will bring us to heaven when He has accomplished His purposes in our lives here on earth.
We are here to be refined through trials (1 Peter 1:7) as well as serve God by serving others (Matthew 25:35-40). Paul said, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you." It helps to remember that we are here for the purpose of showing God's love to others, especially to the lost who need Him.
Still, life is hard, and you might be going through very difficult circumstances, so I encourage you to meditate on God's Word and seek Him for strength for everything you are enduring. He is with you right now and will never forsake you, and He cares for you. It can help to find support from other believers who can listen and pray with you.
These verses may be encouraging to keep trusting God for His purposes for you here on earth:
"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ" 1 Peter 1:7
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope." Romans 5:3-4
"And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." Romans 8:17
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35-39