The vision of Heaven was so clear it was as if he was there. Celestial voices and sounds filled his ears and were like nothing he had ever heard before. Around the time of Acts chapter 9-11, Paul received a vision of Heaven from the Lord that I believe gave him the strength to endure the countless trials he encountered in the years that followed. (II Corinthians 12:1-5) Throughout his life, Paul was beaten, mocked, shipwrecked, and jailed. I can only imagine that as he was lying beaten in prison that he rested in the fact that he knew what his future held. Maybe it was that glimpse of Heaven that helped him praise God through his toughest moments.

You too can experience Heaven now by praising God through your trials. The Apostle Paul had one heart-break after another. Yet, he set his sights on heaven. Perhaps in the midst of your trial, you are having a hard time picturing Heaven’s glorious street of gold. If that is the case, try thinking about what you will finally be free from there.

There will be no more broken relationships and all tears and sorrow will be forgotten. We will have no need to say ‘Goodbye’ to those we love. Our past failures will never be thought of again. Bodily aches and pain cannot touch our new bodies. The darkness of loneliness, anger, and fear cannot exist in the brilliant light of God’s presence.

Friend, I don’t know what you are facing today or what you have been struggling with these last few months. But, I do know that if you’ve placed your trust in Christ, the eternity waiting for you is beyond words. If you remember that, you can make it through today. You can praise God through this week. Focus on Heaven and by God’s grace you can even sing through your sorrow.