Is "Pie in the Sky" All That Powerful?

Socialists have criticized Christianity as anesthetizing people (ala Marx's opiate of the people) with promises of, "Pie in the sky when you die". Really? I cannot bring myself to see much power in pie in the sky for some one who is going through weeks-long  or years-long hardship or suffering! I don't recall thinking much on heaven when I faced brain surgery or my 2-year-old child was on chemotherapy! I don't recall thinking much on heaven when our family was going through financial hardship! Now, God being in control of things I am not? Yeah! I thought on that a lot!