---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You will not be in heaven two seconds…"
description: "\"“You will not be in heaven two seconds before you cry out, “Why did I place so much importance on things that were so temporary? What was I thinking? W..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c9/rick-warren-230_temporary_you-will-not-be-in-heaven-two-seconds-be_2317782.png"
---

#  You will not be in heaven two seconds before you cry out…

![“You will not be in heaven two seconds before you cry out, “Why did I place so much importance on things that were so temporary? What was I thinking? Why did I waste so much time, energy, and concern on what wasn’t going to last?” quote by Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c9/rick-warren-230_temporary_you-will-not-be-in-heaven-two-seconds-be_2317782.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c9/rick-warren-230_temporary_you-will-not-be-in-heaven-two-seconds-be_2317782.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c9/rick-warren-230_temporary_you-will-not-be-in-heaven-two-seconds-be_2317782.png)

> ““You will not be in heaven two seconds before you cry out, “Why did I place so much importance on things that were so temporary? What was I thinking? Why did I waste so much time, energy, and concern on what wasn’t going to last?””

[Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

We often overvalue fleeting things, leading to regret when they end, highlighting the need for lasting purpose.

**In simple terms:** Temporary things cause regret; seek lasting purpose.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize enduring values over fleeting concerns.

Themes

purpose regret impermanence

Mood

thoughtful serene

Type

spiritual philosophical

When to use this quote

- career choices
- relationships
- spiritual practice
- time management

Key Concepts

Existentialism spirituality value assessment

Questions to Reflect On

- What truly matters beyond the moment?
- How can you balance present joy with lasting purpose?

A Different Perspective

Focusing solely on permanence can cause anxiety.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

## Related quotes

> [“I hate it when people let me down, when things are temporary.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/i-hate-it-when-people-let-me-down-when-things-are-temporary/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [Let them understand above all that the artist works from necessity; that he, too, is a minute element of the world to whom one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/let-them-understand-above-all-that-the-artist-works-from-necessity/)

[Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/)

> [The importance of prayer rises in proportion to the importance of the things we should give up in order to pray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/the-importance-of-prayer-rises-in-proportion-to-the-importance-of-the/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [I am pleased enough with the surfaces - in fact they alone seem to me to be of much importance. Such things for example…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/i-am-pleased-enough-with-the-surfaces-in-fact-they-alone-seem-to-me/)

[Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/)

> [Don't sweat the small stuff!! SOOO much more powerful than words. When we release ourselves from the self-imposed need to obsess over little things……](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mly-ab/don-t-sweat-the-small-stuff-sooo-much-more-powerful-than-words-when/)

MlY AB

> [Never confuse the importance of things with things of importance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mardy-grothe/never-confuse-the-importance-of-things-with-things-of-importance/)

[Mardy Grothe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mardy-grothe/)

> [Dont do permanent things for temporary bitches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muniir-zero/dont-do-permanent-things-for-temporary-bitches/)

Muniir Zero

> [“Because beautiful things, even when they are temporary, still manage to leave a part of their beauty with you… even after they’re long gone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bella-forrest/because-beautiful-things-even-when-they-are-temporary-still-manage-to/)

[Bella Forrest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bella-forrest/)

> [I have realised that we are running after things that are so temporary and fleeting - be it fame or money or anything like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhika-madan/i-have-realised-that-we-are-running-after-things-that-are-so/)

[Radhika Madan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhika-madan/)

> [I hate it when people let me down, when things are temporary. I think that's why I want to be an architect." "To build…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/i-hate-it-when-people-let-me-down-when-things-are-temporary-i-think/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [“Most things, I find, are temporary and pass into distant memory with the next great event. But this commentary drew blood to my face.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nev-march/most-things-i-find-are-temporary-and-pass-into-distant-memory-with/)

Nev March

> [Don't waste time doing permanent things w/ temporary people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quenecia-dean-queen/don-t-waste-time-doing-permanent-things-w-temporary-people/)

[Quenecia Dean (Queen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quenecia-dean-queen/)

> [No greater victory can be won by citizens or soldiers than to transform temporary foes into permanent friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/no-greater-victory-can-be-won-by-citizens-or-soldiers-than-to/)

[William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/)

> [Why is wisdom so fair? Why is beauty so wise? Because all else is temporary, while beauty and wisdom are the only real and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/why-is-wisdom-so-fair-why-is-beauty-so-wise-because-all-else-is/)

[Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/)

> [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/)

[David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/)

## More by Rick Warren

> [Behind every successful child is an adult who believed in him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/behind-every-successful-child-is-an-adult-who-believed-in-him/)

[Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

> [Change always starts in your mind. The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel influences the way you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/change-always-starts-in-your-mind-the-way-you-think-determines-the/)

[Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

> [If Jesus is king in heaven then the Kingdom of God is in heaven. If Jesus is king, reign on earth then the Kingdom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/if-jesus-is-king-in-heaven-then-the-kingdom-of-god-is-in-heaven-if/)

[Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

> [“The Bible says, “You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/the-bible-says-you-must-make-allowance-for-each-other-s-faults-and/)

[Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

> [If it grows on a plant, it's healthy. If it's made in a plant, don't eat it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/if-it-grows-on-a-plant-it-s-healthy-if-it-s-made-in-a-plant-don-t-eat/)

[Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

> [Those that innovate the future understand history the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/those-that-innovate-the-future-understand-history-the-best/)

[Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

> [When you jump across a canyon, cautious small steps and vacillation won't work. Sometimes you just have to go for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/when-you-jump-across-a-canyon-cautious-small-steps-and-vacillation/)

[Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

> [We often miss hearing God's voice simply because we aren't paying attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/we-often-miss-hearing-god-s-voice-simply-because-we-aren-t-paying/)

[Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

> [Law is downstream from culture. By the time you make a law about something, you're reacting, not acting. I'd rather shape the culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/law-is-downstream-from-culture-by-the-time-you-make-a-law-about/)

[Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

> [“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/if-you-look-at-the-world-you-ll-be-distressed-if-you-look-within-you/)

[Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

> [It is mind-boggling to me that the Almighty power created everything I see; the Bible says that God created the entire universe just so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/it-is-mind-boggling-to-me-that-the-almighty-power-created-everything/)

[Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

> [The role of the church and the government are fundamentally different. The church must always show compassion - always.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/the-role-of-the-church-and-the-government-are-fundamentally-different/)

[Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

> [We become whatever we are committed to](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/we-become-whatever-we-are-committed-to/)

[Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

> [“but it does mean God is able to redeem any and all situations and use them for his own good.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/but-it-does-mean-god-is-able-to-redeem-any-and-all-situations-and-use/)

[Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

> [Well actually I don't think it's a bunch of bad things that send us to hell. I think it is rejection of God's grace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/well-actually-i-don-t-think-it-s-a-bunch-of-bad-things-that-send-us/)

[Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

[Explore all 847 Rick Warren quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

## More Temporary quotes

> [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/)

[David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/)

> [Why is wisdom so fair? Why is beauty so wise? Because all else is temporary, while beauty and wisdom are the only real and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/why-is-wisdom-so-fair-why-is-beauty-so-wise-because-all-else-is/)

[Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/)

> [No greater victory can be won by citizens or soldiers than to transform temporary foes into permanent friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/no-greater-victory-can-be-won-by-citizens-or-soldiers-than-to/)

[William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/)

> [ Donald Trump has opened \[ politically correct enforcement\] up wide. He's made a very bold statement and he's backed it back just a little… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/donald-trump-has-opened-politically-correct-enforcement-up-wide-he-s/)

[Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/)

> [Our thoughts are either focused on what's eternal, life-changing, and true, or lost in the details of our temporary, selfish, false beliefs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/our-thoughts-are-either-focused-on-what-s-eternal-life-changing-and/)

[Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/)

> [Nothing is permanent," Magnus said. "I know this from experience. But you can get new things. You can meet new people. You can go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/nothing-is-permanent-magnus-said-i-know-this-from-experience-but-you/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [Acquire worldly wisdom and adjust your behavior accordingly. If your new behavior gives you a little temporary unpopularity with your peer group then to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/acquire-worldly-wisdom-and-adjust-your-behavior-accordingly-if-your/)

[Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/)

> [ As we have seen after every other \[Donald\] Trump controversy, this one only increased their enthusiasm for him. His supporters thought the idea of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-inskeep/as-we-have-seen-after-every-other-donald-trump-controversy-this-one/)

[Steve Inskeep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-inskeep/)

> [Must whales and dolphins be subjected to deafening noise that will cause more than 3.5 million instances of temporary and/or permanent hearing loss? For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brosnan/must-whales-and-dolphins-be-subjected-to-deafening-noise-that-will/)

[Pierce Brosnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brosnan/)

> [Temporary happiness isnt worth long term pain¦](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/temporary-happiness-isnt-worth-long-term-pain/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [All salvation is temporary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/all-salvation-is-temporary/)

[John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/)

> [Rise above your temporary emotions. It's not your final destination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/rise-above-your-temporary-emotions-it-s-not-your-final-destination/)

[Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/)

> [Just a tip if you have a big event to go to or an important meeting, if you cry enough your face swells up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-mcfarlane/just-a-tip-if-you-have-a-big-event-to-go-to-or-an-important-meeting/)

[Bonnie McFarlane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-mcfarlane/)

> [“Success is always temporary. When all is said and done, the only thing you'll have left is your character.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-gill/success-is-always-temporary-when-all-is-said-and-done-the-only-thing/)

[Vince Gill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-gill/)

> [Diets are a temporary solution to a permanent problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roseanne-barr/diets-are-a-temporary-solution-to-a-permanent-problem/)

[Roseanne Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roseanne-barr/)

Browse all 1,175 Temporary quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“You will not be in heaven two seconds before you cry out, “Why did I place so much importance on things that were so temporary? What was I thinking? Why did I waste so much time, energy, and concern on what wasn’t going to last?”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Rick Warren"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/you-will-not-be-in-heaven-two-seconds-before-you-cry-out-why-did-i/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Temporary"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/you-will-not-be-in-heaven-two-seconds-before-you-cry-out-why-did-i/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c9/rick-warren-230_temporary_you-will-not-be-in-heaven-two-seconds-be_2317782.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c9/rick-warren-230_temporary_you-will-not-be-in-heaven-two-seconds-be_2317782.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c9/rick-warren-230_temporary_you-will-not-be-in-heaven-two-seconds-be_2317782.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“You will not be in heaven two seconds before you cry out, “Why did I place so much importance on things that…” — Rick Warren",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Rick Warren",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“You will not be in heaven...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/you-will-not-be-in-heaven-two-seconds-before-you-cry-out-why-did-i/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/you-will-not-be-in-heaven-two-seconds-before-you-cry-out-why-did-i/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
