You Know How the Story Ends

by Rick Warren — July 8, 2023
From How to Get Through What You’re Going Through

“So we do not look at what we can see right now, the troubles all around us, but we look forward to the joys in heaven which we have not yet seen. The troubles will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.”

2 Corinthians 4:18 (TLB)

One of the most suspenseful TV shows ever was 24. The main character, Jack Bauer, could solve three world catastrophes in every single episode. But I never even watched the show until it went off the air, because I hate watching commercials. I bought the entire series on DVD so I could watch it commercial-free.

When my wife Kay and I were watching the first season of 24, I started to get really tense as Jack got into one of his predictable messes and had only five seconds to save the whole world. I thought, “Is Jack going to make it? Is this the end for our hero?”

And then I thought, “Of course not. There are five more seasons!”

Your tension goes down when you know the end of the story. When you don’t have to wonder if things will turn out badly, it affects your perspective and your attitude. 

This is why believers in Christ grieve differently from the rest of the world.

When believers lose family or friends who are also believers, they grieve because they miss the person who is gone, but they also know they are in a far better place: in heaven, with God, forever. 

In a sense, we grieve for ourselves because we have to find a way forward without our loved one. But we grieve with hope because we know the end of the story: One day, we will join them in heaven and be with God forever. 

You can have hope, even when there is loss. 

How? You’ve got to get a bigger perspective and a longer view. You’ve got to refocus your attention. You’ve got to stop thinking about just the here and now and start living as if there is much more to your story. 

This life is not all there is! If you just look at today and what’s happening right now, you’re going to be hopeless. But if you can see what’s happening to you in light of eternity, you’ll realize that this life is preparation for the next. God is getting you ready for eternal life.

“So we do not look at what we can see right now, the troubles all around us, but we we look forward to the joys in heaven which we have not yet seen. The troubles will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever” (2 Corinthians 4:18 TLB).

Talk It Over

  • In what other areas of life (besides grief) does having an eternal perspective change your focus and attitude?
  • Does being a Christian mean you feel any less pain from your loss as you grieve? Why or why not?
  • What are the ways God is growing you in spiritual maturity right now and getting you ready for eternity?

Where will you spend eternity?

The Bible says you can only get to heaven by trusting in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. You can’t earn your way into heaven: “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).


If you’re ready to commit your life to Jesus, start by praying this prayer:

“Dear God, you have promised that if I believe in your Son, Jesus Christ, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.

“I confess I have sinned, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died to take away my sins and that you raised him to life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow him as Lord from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at [email protected] and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.


Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.