Who hopes for what they already have?

I find myself continually confronted by the concept of pain and suffering. I also find myself continually drawn to these Verses found in Romans 8:

¹⁸ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that^[h] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.



The author above clearly depicts the act that suffering is not only part of life, but necessary to attain the Glory promised to us at the end of it. Therefore, maybe we are wrong to avoid it, maybe we should cultivate it.

 ²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

We are born through, and into pain, but for an incredibly exalted purpose-salvation. The verse ends with a phrase that rings more true in an instant information society of today. We must wait for the blessing...but it will come, and it will be worth it.

 ²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

 ²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[i] have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

So if you wonder why some folks seem to suffer better than others. Folks who seem to remain in the fight until their opponent has no more. These folks may have the understanding Romans is providing. A promise of suffering, with a plan of eternal peace.