Eternity is one of the most difficult words for the human mind to comprehend.  Yet, the Bible has much to say about this subject.  For example, God is eternal.  The Psalmist wrote, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God” (Psalm 90:2).

Perhaps the reason we have such difficulty conceiving the idea of eternity is because most of what we see is not eternal.  We see vegetation sprout forth from the ground in spring only to die in the fall.  Also, most of us have witnessed the birth of animals only to see them age and die, usually in a matter of years.  The same can even be said of ourselves, for we all know that one day we will surely die (Hebrews 9:27).  However, it is here that we must note an all-important distinction.  We are unlike vegetation and animals, not only in looks and purpose; but in each of us, God has placed a living soul that will never die.  Sure, the outward body will someday wear out and return to the dust of the earth.  But the real you on the inside that thinks and reasons (even as you read this) will live eternally (cf. Matthew 25:31-46).

Further, the Bible puts a lot of emphasis on man’s eternal dwelling (after this life) and makes it clear that there are only two possibilities.  For one, the Bible says that only those who have lived righteously and served Him from the heart will eternally abide with Him in heaven (I Thessalonians 4:13-18).  On the other hand, those who do not serve Him have the tragic destiny of everlasting punishment in the fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41, 46).  Knowing these things should move each of us to think seriously about our present spiritual situation, understanding that it has eternal implications.

In short, heaven is an eternally prepared place for a prepared people (John 14:1-3).  Hell is also an eternally prepared place, but for an unprepared people (Matthew 22:1-13).

Now, where have you prepared to spend eternity?

I once read of a man who worked in a highly-stressful situation and how he coped with the pressures.  One afternoon a co-worker went to his house after work.  The two got out of the car and walked toward the house when the owner did something that his associate regarded rather strange.  There was a small tree that stood near the front door of the house and the owner stopped and began touching the limbs with his fingertips.  “Why are you doing that?” inquired his co-worker.  “Oh, this is my trouble tree” the man answered with a smile.  “Each day when I come home I hang my troubles on this tree so I can leave them outside my house.  I don’t carry them in to my family, nor do I sleep with them, I just pick them up in the mornings on my way back to work.”

What a wonderful story this is and what a great example a lot of us need to follow!  Too often we let our struggles become our bedfellows and a constant source of worry.  The word “worry,” as is used in Scripture, means “a divided mind.”  Thus, when we are burdened with worry about some matter it never really leaves us.  Part of our mind is trying to do one thing while the other part is anchored to our problem.  As a result, we are miserable and hindered in every walk of life.  However, it does not have to be this way!

God does not want His people to worry!  His Word not only tells us not to worry, it gives us the key to overcome it: “Be anxious in nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6, 7).  Like the story above, God becomes the source on which we cast our worrisome cares (cf. 1 Peter 5:7).

Thus, with God’s help, we can whip worry.  If we can learn to put our complete faith in Him and live one day at a time (Matthew 6:34), we will find joy and peace beyond our expectations!