In our natural desire to be secure and avoid being uncomfortable, you may not reflexively say, “I am blessed” if you are encountering suffering and hardship in life.  But if we broaden our definition of being “blessed”, we would embrace that ultimately being blessed is knowing Christ and walking in obedience/faith with God…

Being “one” with God, embracing His will and courageously having our steps ordered by His Spirit, having Him as our strength and joy, preach well !  Though that is the goal, have you found it difficult to be honest about being joyous, even if you are obedient and walking in faith?

The apostle Paul reveals to us the dilemma of being compelled by God to do something, yet not be promised what the typical “blessed” mentality might expect.  What we anticipate “should happen” is dangerous, because we then become the author and finisher of our faith.  What is also dangerous, is thinking that obedience means things should turn out smooth and wonderful!

Paul shows us that our anticipation, could reveal our narrow understanding of a life submitted to God.  Paul was compelled by the Holy Spirit to go and endure hardship, not go and live at ease!  If I am honest, I naturally envision “easier” as a result of my obedience.  So when I suffer in obedience, I don’t have joy in God.  The reason is because I still consider my life too precious to myself, and not to God like Paul did…