Verse 12: "For after much tribulation, as I have said unto you in a former commandment, cometh the blessing."
Life can sometimes be a great struggle and a constant frustration, but I realized as I read this that we must go through those rough days to reach the bright light. To learn and grow we must be tried. If life were all roses and sunshine, would we push ourselves to expand our reach, to become an even better person than we were before? And once we've struggle through, pushed past the difficulties, we are truly blessed. God will never give us a trial that we cannot handle, I know this to be true. It may seem like to much at the time, but that is when we need to get down on our knees and pray for guidence and help, for He is there to do both, and on occasion He will carry us through the darkness.
Verses 27 &28: "Let no man be afraid to lay down his life for my sake; for whoso layeth down his life for my sake shall find it again. And whoso is not willing to lay down his life for my sake is not my disciple."
I struggle with selfishness, I'll admit it. Many times I am thinking, "Can't I just get a break? I don't want to." But this isn't how Christ behaved while upon this earth. He spent ALL of His time in the service of others, teaching, loving and never thinking of Himself. To find myself I must lay aside my person wants and give my life to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Only then will I be able to find my life again.
Verse 36: "All victory and glory is brought to pass unto you through your diligence, faithfulness, and prayers of faith."
I love this verse. I love that if I'm diligent, faithful and have faith that I can gain victory. It may not always be in the way that I am expecting or wanting, but it will be a victory. Remember those three things, diligence, faithfulness, and prayers of faith, and anything is possible.
