A large percentage of the people of the world wake up every morning with some kind of ache or pain. If you are one of the many victims, with some infirmity of the flesh, perhaps you will agree with the little chorus which says: βHeaven is better than this.β
The Scriptures tell us that βthe whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until nowβ (Rom.Β 8:22). Note the expression: βthe whole creation.β This takes in the whole world; no one is excluded. Indeed, the very next verse goes on to say to Christian believers:
βAnd not only they, but ourselves alsoβ¦ even we ourselves groan within ourselvesβ¦ waiting forβ¦ the redemption of our body.β
No doubt many of us feel like crying out with the Psalmist David, βLook upon mine affliction and my painβ (Psa. 25:18). In spite of all sorrow, trouble and pain which the child of God must endure, however, he can be assured with the Apostle Paul that: βour light affliction, which is but for a moment [comparatively], worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of gloryβ (II Cor.Β 4:17). When we go to be with the Lord we will no longer be living in βthis earthly tabernacle,β but will have βa building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavensβ (II Cor. 5:1). Paul even adds that as Christians we earnestly desire βto be clothed upon with our house [our new body] which is from heavenβ (II Cor. 5:2).
Finally, St. Paul declared that βto depart, and to be with Christβ¦ is far betterβ (Phil.Β 1:23); far better, not only than all earthβs sorrow and trouble and pain, but far better even than earthβs greatest joys and its dearest treasures. How wonderful it is to know that βChrist died for our sins,β to have a light beyond the grave, a hope beyond the tomb! Surely βheaven is better than this!β source