The phrase “this too shall pass” is commonly used to encourage people going through difficult times. The idea behind the phrase is that whatever troubles someone is facing will eventually come to an end. While this sentiment expresses an important biblical truth, the exact phrase “this too shall pass” is not found word-for-word in the Bible.
However, there are several passages in Scripture that communicate the same essential message. The Bible clearly teaches that our trials in this life are temporary, while the joys of eternal life with God are everlasting. Let’s look at some key biblical passages that point to the transient nature of earthly troubles and the permanence of God’s promises.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Ecclesiastes 3 opens with these well-known verses:
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
This famous poem describes the cyclical nature of life. Good times and bad times, joy and sorrow – they all come and go as part of God’s plan. The Preacher in Ecclesiastes reminds us that no season lasts forever. Hard times will give way to better times in due course.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
The apostle Paul offers a similar perspective:
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Paul acknowledges that we suffer and experience difficult seasons that feel weighty and oppressive. But he calls these troubles “light” and “momentary” in comparison with the “eternal weight of glory” that awaits all who trust in Christ. Our afflictions are temporary, while our hope in heaven is everlasting.
Psalm 30:5
The psalmist directly addresses the transient nature of times of weeping and sorrow:
For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
We may weep in a season of darkness and pain, but joy breaks through with the new day. God’s favor outlasts his discipline.
John 16:33
Jesus prepares his disciples for his imminent death by assuring them that their grief will turn to joy:
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Believers are sure to face trouble in this world. But Jesus has already achieved victory over sin and death, guaranteeing our eternal peace and joy. Our trials are temporary, but his triumph is everlasting.
Romans 8:18
Paul puts present sufferings into an eternal perspective for believers:
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
No amount of earthly affliction bears any comparison to the glory of being with Jesus forever. Our troubles in this age are not even worth mentioning in light of our incredible future hope.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Paul expands on this theme:
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
We must constantly keep perspective, fixing our eyes on unseen, eternal realities rather than temporary earthly troubles. Our afflictions are both “light” and “momentary” compared to the glories stored up for us in heaven.
1 Peter 1:6-7
Peter also reminds suffering Christians that their trials are only temporary:
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith – more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Even painful trials serve a purpose in purifying and strengthening our faith. But these trials are temporary (“for a little while”). They are far outweighed by the eternal honor and rewards we will experience when Jesus returns.
1 Peter 5:10
After exhorting believers to humble themselves under God’s mighty hand, Peter gives this promise:
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
When we submit to God in the midst of adversity, he promises to personally restore and strengthen us. But we are reminded again that suffering is just for “a little while.” Eternal glory awaits.
Romans 8:35-37
After listing several types of earthly troubles, Paul declares triumphantly:
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
No amount of suffering, danger or even martyrdom can shake us from Jesus’ eternal love. And through his power, we are more than conquerors, no matter what befalls us. Our trials are temporary, but his victory is everlasting.
Revelation 21:1-4
John’s vision of the New Jerusalem confirms that earthly sorrows will cease forever in heaven’s glory:
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
In the new creation, God himself will live with us, and permanently abolish every cause of earthly grief and pain. The troubles of “the former things” will be forever passed away.
The Bible’s Optimistic Realism
The Bible presents an honest but optimistic perspective on suffering. Scriptural realism acknowledges that we will experience sorrow, affliction and persecution in this fallen age. But biblical optimism anchors our hope in the promise of eternity. The troubles of this life are both inevitable and transient. But the joy of forever dwelling with Christ makes every earthly woe fade into insignificance.
This biblical theme resonates with the spirit of the phrase “this too shall pass.” As the passages above demonstrate, the Bible clearly teaches that our trials are temporary amidst the perspective of eternity. So in times of sorrow, Christians can take heart that “this too shall pass.” Weeping lingers only for the night. But joy comes with the morning. Our momentary light afflictions are achieving for us an eternal weight of glory. And eternity with Jesus will swallow up every earthly grief, as even the memory of pain fades into oblivion (Rev. 21:4).
The Christian worldview acknowledges the reality of present suffering, while offering the hope of eternal redemption, restoration and reward. The troubles of this age are transient. But the joys of the age to come will never pass away.
