John 16:33b “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

A famine engulfs South Sudan, and many thousands of people are starving. Terrorist strike across the world with increasing frequency, killing innocents people. Children as young at seven become victims of human trafficking. Orphans live on the streets in impoverished countries with no one to care for them. Earthquakes, hurricanes, and wildfires destroy personal property. All these tragic events fill the nightly news and sadden me, so I stop watching. I try to hide and pretend they are not happening.

I withdraw to my family. Then I hear about friends getting divorced. Some other friends receive the diagnosis of severe diseases. Sicknesses, loneliness, and problems fill my house once again. Everywhere I turn I am greeted by the hardships of this life. The depths of the pain of those around me covers me with darkness. Life ‘s hard.

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I want a redo in life. I want Life version 2.0. I want a life without heartaches and hardships. A time without tears and pain. I want birds singing, flowers blooming and happiness every day. I search my Bible for the answers to all the troubles in this world. I find John 16:33 “In this world, you will have trouble.” So God knew the difficulties we would face each and every day. But, He does not leave us there. The verse continues with “Take heart.” God overcame the world, so it will not be like this forever.

So when will it get easier? The bad news, it will not get better in this life. The good news, there is a Life 2.0 awaiting us that will be perfect in every way. That life is the one God has prepared for us in heaven with Him. In heaven, there will be no more sorrows, diseases or death. With Relationships restored, we will live in peace and harmony. The older I get, the more I think about my Life 2.0 in heaven. It calms me and assures me to think of all the joy I will experience. Someday, all these troubles will be gone, and I will rest with my Savior in heaven. It sounds heavenly to me! I hope it does to you too.