We must remember what Job asked his wife in the midst of unspeakable suffering: “Should we only accept good from God and not adversity?” Do we dare assume God owes his children a life of ease, freedom from suffering, and avoidance of pain? Will we refuse to consider he has greater purposes in mind for the darkness that sometimes obscures his light?
The cost of discipleship
What we gain through Christ will always be greater than any loss we incur because of him. Let us be willing to bear any and every such earthly jewel or trinket that we might hold onto the pearl of great price.
Seven ways to keep your eyes on the prize
The conclusion of our last post: Satan will tempt us to fix our eyes and thoughts on the apparent care-free life of those who ignore God’s commands. But choosing the difficulties of pursuing holiness is better than the fleeting happiness of sinfulness. If that doesn’t work, as Thomas Brooks explains in his ninth device, Satan will then cause us to focus on the hardships and suffering that life in Christ often bring.
