“Instead, as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardships, by difficulties, by beatings, by imprisonments, by riots, by labors, by sleepless nights, by times of hunger, by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God; through weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, through glory and dishonor, through slander and good report; regarded as deceivers, yet true; as unknown, yet recognized; as dying, yet see — we live; as being disciplined, yet not killed; as grieving, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet enriching many; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.” (vv. 4-10)

Such is the nature of the Christian life, if it is indeed lived for Christ.

There will be trials.

You will be utterly dependent.

And He will work in you, through you, producing spiritual fruit for His glory.

Don’t be ignorant of the real challenge that comes with faithfulness. But don’t discount the balance: He is with you, in you, and for you—for His glory.

— Tyler