2 Corinthians 4:16-18

16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.

New Living Translation

When our circumstances are overwhelming to us, it seems perfectly natural to let them absorb all our time and energy.  The problems are so big, nothing else seems to matter.

But in this passage, Paul is reminding us that no matter how intense our struggles are now, they are nothing compared to what we will have someday. 

Compared to the glory of Heaven, all the misery of this world is quite small.   Compared to eternity, even 100 years of intense suffering is a short time.

And enduring all of this here, now, with faith, will bring us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever.

Write the passage down somewhere, and keep it where you can see it.  The next time you can only see your circumstances, read this, and remember that there is something better to look at, if you are willing.