I’ve thought a lot about heaven these past few years, maybe more than ever before. Losing a loved one will do that to you. Many of you may understand very well, because you too might have lost a close friend or family member, and life still hasn’t felt quite the same.

Sometimes I’ve wished I could just see how my loved ones are, that I could know what they’re doing, or even wondered if they can look down on us from heaven. And over time I’ve found that just reading verses in God’s word and studying what heaven will be like has soothed my heart and brought peace again.

Sometimes I’ve wished I could just see how my loved ones are, that I could know what they’re doing, or even wondered if they can look down on us from heaven.

Here’s truth for a world that can often feel unfair: This present world will pass away, it’s not all we have. But as believers in Christ, we can be assured that death, cancer, accidents, sickness, addiction, none of those things hold the final sting. For He conquered death on the cross, and because of His gift, we still have an eternity to look forward to. We may not understand everything about it, but we can be confident that heaven is real, and so full of hope. And Jesus will reign forever.

3 Promises to Remind Us Heaven Is Real:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled, believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if that were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you also will be.” (John 14:1-3, NAS)

Jesus comforted his disciples with these powerful words at the Last Supper, just before His journey to the cross. And they still hold the power to bring great comfort and peace to troubled hearts today. What it tells us is this – we don’t have to be afraid. We don’t have to live engulfed with fear and anxiety. He promises that heaven is a real place. Jesus is there and is working to prepare a place for us to live there too. He assures us He will come again and that all believers will be with Him someday. And if our Maker has created us with such uniqueness and power, we can be confident that our heavenly dwelling place will be greater than we could ever have imagined. Because that’s just the way He is.

 “…They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21: 3-4, NIV)

Heaven is a place of true joy and freedom, with no more death, suffering, or pain.

Heaven is a place of true joy and freedom, with no more death, suffering, or pain. This promise brings us so much hope in a world that knows great suffering and loss. It’s hard to imagine even one day without some kind of trouble or difficulty, because we’re human, and caught up in the struggles of daily life. We can’t even begin to comprehend an eternity of no more pain and sorrow; it’s simply mind-blowing and such great news! If you have ever suffered illness, disease, or held the hand of a loved one who was in great pain at the end of life…if you have ever experienced deep grief or struggled through dark times…there is hope still ahead. Heaven truly is a place where the old is gone, and the new has come. The struggle and pain we carry here will be lifted away. We will be healed. We will be set free in every way of the burdens that may temporarily weigh us down here on earth.

No death. No mourning. No pain. God will be with us, and He will wipe away our tears for the very last time. Heaven is a place of joy, goodness, peace, hope, freedom, and life.

“’No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him’” – But God has revealed it to us by his Spirit…” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10, NIV)

Heaven is an amazing place, and more than our minds can perceive. God’s word clearly reminds us that we simply can’t comprehend all that’s still in store. It is that good. God has prepared us for so much more than we can fully see here. He has greater things ahead than we could ever know.

If you find yourself in a dark place right now, searching for answers, or grieving the loss of a loved one who seems to be gone too soon from this world…take heart. God knows the ache you carry. He understands the questions you have and the struggle to understand. He wants to remind us that there’s glory still ahead. This life is short, though some days may feel long, and the battle can seem fierce. But as we look to what He is preparing for us, as believers, may it give us every ounce of strength we need now to press on. Keep holding fast to the truth and light of Christ in a dark world. He is with us always and there’s hope still ahead.