“Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong! Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. So he went and preached to the spirits in prison— those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.”
Imagine this: in just two weeks, you're destined for the most incredible vacation of your life. Picture it - white sandy beaches, breathtaking sunsets,.. unforgettable adventures. Now, here's the catch : these upcoming two weeks will demand everything you've got. You'll work extra hard and extra long. It won't be easy; there will be days you cry or complain. But you'll get through it bc every day, you'll glance at a countdown, reminding you that paradise is soon. You'll show up even tho it's hard, you'll get through it, because you know that this dream vacation will turn all your hard work will be nothing in comparison to how awesome this vacay will be.
This is exactly how we can live as Christian's. We can get through the suffering, grief, and pain of this life with the hope we have in our eternal paradise with God. The suffering we endure here pales in comparison to the goodness of heaven. This is what makes God truly so good. He made a way for us out of enteral pain and into eternal bliss.