Don’t expect life to be easy. I have read the Bible from beginning to end, and nowhere in its pages are we encouraged to believe that life will be easy. On almost every page, we are encouraged to love God, love even our enemies and we will be victorious.

Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have trials and tribulations; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). Those who wear the bells of victory are always those who never give up.

Paul said, “I say to every man, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3).

The Persian poet wrote: “Whether the cup with sweet or bitter runs, the wine of life keeps ebbing drop by drop and the leaves of life keep falling one by one.”

If we follow the footsteps of our Lord through all the troubles and trials of life, we will find at the end of the journey a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

It will be a place where love is supreme and God himself shall wipe away all our tears. Is there anywhere on earth a better place?

Why is there so much hate and chaos in a world filled with beauty and perfect order? It is impossible to find peace and purpose in life until we know God. We are never complete until God lives within us. We may satisfy the hungers of the day, but the deep longings of the heart and soul reach far beyond the boundaries of earth.

The questions for which I have sought answers begin with why. Why is there so much suffering? So much war? So much poverty?

In his youth, Augustine sought to satisfy the desires of the flesh. Because of his mother’s constant prayers, Augustine finally came to the conclusion, “Man was made for God, and the deep longings of the soul cannot be satisfied until we rest in God.” You may satisfy the hungers of the flesh for a day, but you cannot find that peace that passeth understanding until God is the master of your heart, and the love of your life. Nothing else in this world can satisfy the longings of your soul except God.

H.G. Wells said, “Success is to be measured, not by wealth, power, or fame; but by the ratio between what a man is and what he ought to be.” That should give us something to think about in the stillness of the night, when we are alone with ourselves. One is never poor, if love lives in one’s heart.

God loved us so much that he gave his only son to die upon the bloody cross to save us from our sins, and whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. Did you know He loved you that much?

I do know if we are faithful to God, we will be victorious. Write it down on the door of your heart, so you can see it every hour of every day.

The human heart was made for love, and if you allow anything else to live in your heart, you are less than God intended you to be.