Sometimes it’s necessary to stand back and gain some perspective. I’m learning that my perspective must be long-long-term. In many instances, a trial passes and you move on—a better, stronger, and more joyous person for having passed through that difficulty. That’s living in a long-term perspective.

But in some cases, the trial continues for a lifetime. History is full of martyrs who endured decades of suffering only to have that suffering end in death. That kind of suffering requires a long-long-term perspective—a perspective that recognizes relief might not come until the next life. If that thought makes you want to cry (or scream), hang on. Good news is coming.

God hasn’t promised any of us that we’ll avoid suffering—or even a martyr’s death. Every Christian, therefore, needs to gain a long-long-term perspective. Perhaps you’ll be one of the few who gets through life with few trials. But don’t count on it; the odds are against you. On the other hand, if we gain that long-long-term perspective, then we can learn to find joy in life’s smallest gifts. And, even more important, we can learn to live joyfully by bringing joy to others, despite our pain.

How is that possible?

The author of the Bible’s book of Hebrews wrote, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3).

Sometimes life drains us dry. Our souls are parched. We’re weary and we lose hope. Tomorrow looks grim and the next day even grimmer. Our heart wants to give up and give in to despair. And that’s when Bible verses, like the ones above, provide the spiritual water we need.

How can it be well with our soul?

We fix our spiritual eyes on Jesus. We meditate on the suffering He endured with a long-long-term perspective. We consider the opposition He endured. In doing so, we’ll be revived. We’ll be spiritually hydrated, and the weariness and hopelessness will subside.

God understands your pain created when homosexuality hit home. Will you allow God to join you in your suffering, while giving you a long-term perspective? Joy will come again.