What makes hell unbearable is that our desires are never fulfilled. Imagine being so thirsty your tongue is sticking to the roof of your mouth, but there will never be water! Imagine being lonely and wanting intimacy, but being in solitary confinement forever. Imagine being dead tired, but your heart is beating so fast that you can get no rest. Ever. Imagine wanting better things for your loved ones, but they will face the same hell as you because of you! Imagine being able to see heaven, but knowing you will never ever get there... (And the regret that will never go away) Where do I get this from? Luke 16:19-31 - The story of rich man and Lazarus. Heaven, as you can imagine is the opposite - all our desires are fulfilled! (It is not a desire-less state as Buddha taught. Where there is no desire, there is no joy) Your desire for love and intimacy will be fulfilled. Your desire for significance will be fulfilled. Your desire for healthy body and mind will be fulfilled. Your desire for approval and acceptance will be fulfilled. Imagine being so thirsty your tongue is sticking to the roof of your mouth, and finding a river of crystal clear water you can swim in! [Jesus said] "whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14 On earth, we get a taste of both heaven and hell. Our unfulfilled desires remind us of hell. Our fulfilled desires remind us of heaven. Christian joy come not only from fulfilled desires, but also from the anticipation of fulfilled desires. (Just the prospect of vacationing in Maui brings joy, doesn't it?) Rejoice, Christians. All your desires will be fulfilled one day. PH
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