Hey Floyd,
The question of eternal torment--or at least despair (some bible verses seem to indicate the latter more than the former)--is admittedly a tough one. And it's definitely something I've thought on a time or two at least.
In the end, again though--regardless of what separation from God entirely entails (as we'll never know while here on earth, and hopefully won't find out either)--the crucial question for me is "how do I/we make it to the "good" place?"
I do believe we're separated from God in a real sense and need some kind of way to reconciliation. Just as when we fight with a friend or loved one, there's some kind of need for such. But in the case with God, he hasn't done the wrong--we've separated ourselves from his holiness. And I don't believe mere good works can repair that great difference.
If you think about it, assuming we even do just one thing in a day that is opposite his nature, that adds up to a lot of misdeeds! If you live just 30 years, that's now over 10,000 offenses of some kind. Dare I say most of us, at least, commit a lot more than that, especially when you add in the darker thoughts we allow to dwell on (not merely pass thru for a split moment), the envies, hatreds, excessive angers toward others.
Anyway, I referred earlier to the evidence for Jesus and his death and resurrection, but I did not provide any link or thought beyond that. Rather than plagiarize portions, I would like to provide further food for thought on this subject by providing the link in its entirety.
Feel free to read this when time permits. It's a question that I cannot find any other conclusion to than to believe the very thing Christians believe (supposedly)---that Jesus did die and was resurrected from the dead.
Evidence for the Resurrection