It is human nature for us to do all we can to avoid suffering. After all, pain is not pleasant. Body builders coined the phrase, "no pain, no gain", and that's why we have so few body builders. If it was easy and "painless" then it would be rare to see an overweight or out of shape person.
Christianity could easily adopt the "no pain, no gain" mantra, because there's a lot of truth to that in our spiritual lives. To grow up in Christ, you will experience growing pains. Jesus said it so clearly, "Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me." Self denial is no fun and cross carrying is even worse. David Wilkerson had this to say about the subject:
"Christians want an escape from pain and suffering! We want our troubles to vanish. And we are so caught up in our escape from pain, we lose the true meaning of the cross. We refuse crosses and losses- no Gethsemane for us! No nights of agony! We don't even know this suffering, bleeding, resurrected Christ!
We want His healing power. We want His promises of prosperity. We want His protection. We want more of this world's goods. We want His happiness. But we really don't want Him alone!
The Church once confessed it's sins- now it confesses it's rights. What if---instead of our beautiful homes and cars, we had to wander about in sheepskins, hiding in dens and caves? No healing. No success. No prosperity. No worldly blessings. No miracles, signs and wonders. How many of us would serve Him if He offered nothing but Himself?"
That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death." Phil. 3:10
No pain, No gain.
Funny, Steve, I was going to write a blog on this very subject! You said it perfectly. And I would give up everything to just hear His voice daily forever. I love HIm so much and I long for His return.
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