Our hope rests in the Lord. It isn't a promise that each day off this life will be happy, it isn't a promise of daily pleasure. Jesus didn't tell us it would be easy or that by believing in Him all our troubles or sorrows would vanish. He told us the journey would be hard, he told us we needed to pick up our crosses and suffer with him, he promised us that those who would suffer or sacrifice, those that would show mercy and be peacemakers, those that would put God first, trust in Him, live like Him, love like Him would remain in Him forever. There will be eternal joy, happiness, and love, what is promised is beyond our comprehension, but the suffering and sorrow is also part of the promise. He isn't asking us to endure anything He wasn't willing to endure too. And He didn't just suffer one day in Jerusalem, He gave up everything for 33 years, imagine choosing poverty for 33 years over a life of riches beyond measure, that is sacrifice. He also suffers with us daily, "Saul why do you persecute me?"
But our hope is in His promise of what the Father has in store for us when we return home. When we choose to return to His home and stop trying to deny or Father His place in our lives we can be assured that the prodigal son's welcome home was nothing compared to the welcome we will receive.
Some days are better than others, but the greatest days are the eternal ones that are promised to those obedient enough to take up their crosses and make the walk home.
