Amidst the sorrows of the way...

Pete says it bestest...

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, into an inheritance imperishable and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for you who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time, in which you rejoice greatly, although now for a short time, if necessary, you are distressed by various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more valuable than gold that is passing away, but is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom, although you have not seen, you love; in whom now you believe, although you do not see him, and you rejoice greatly with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls." 1 Pete 1

And because i like to peek ahead and see the end sometimes...

"What is this coming up from the desert
    like a column of smoke,
perfumed with myrrh and frankincense
    from all the fragrant powders of the merchant?
Look! It is Solomon’s portable couch!
    Sixty mighty men surround it,
        the mighty men of Israel.
All of them wield swords;
    they are trained in warfare,
each with his sword at his thigh
    to guard against terror in the night.
King Solomon made for himself a sedan chair
    from the wood of Lebanon.
He made its column of silver, its back of gold, its seat of purple;
    its interior is inlaid with leather by the maidens of Jerusalem.
Come out and look, O maidens of Zion, at King Solomon,
    at the crown with which his mother crowned him
on the day of his wedding,
    on the day of the joy of his heart!"  Song of Songs 3

It conjures a vision of the Tabernacle, God with us, coming with the pillar of smoke and fire and all the camp of Israel, all of its fighting men, the faithful arrayed around it.  It is the Bridegroom coming for his bride.  Revelations 19.  The wedding supper of the Lamb.  Hang on little bride, your Husband is coming and he won't be riding no lil' mule.