In my life, being true to myself certainly hasn't made things easier. You could never accuse me of taking the path of least resistance.

When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.

When we long for life without difficulty, remind us that oaks grow strong under contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.

When we long for a live without difficulties, remind us that diamonds are made under pressure and oaks grow strong in contrary winds.

We don't become mature human beings by getting lucky or cleverly circumventing loss, and certainly not by avoidance and distraction. Learn to lament. Learn this lamentation. We're mortals, after all. We and everyone around are scheduled for death (mortis). Get used to it. Take up your cross. It prepares us and those around us for resurrection. — Eugene Peterson

What are the hurricane winds, internal and external, that prevent us from becoming all God intends?

Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory.

Christianity helps us face the music even when we don't like the tune.

When suffering hits us broadside, it's bound to shake our faith a little—just as if we were driving across a high bridge in a compact car and got hit by a great gust of wind. You have to make sure you have both hands on the wheel! But trials are also meant to waken us to the truth of Daniel 11:32 (ESV), where it says, "The people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.

Our real blessings often appear to us in the shape of pains, losses and disappointments; but let us have patience and we soon shall see them in proper figures.

Our life evokes our character. You find out more about yourself as you go on. That's why it's good to be able to put yourself in situations that will evoke your higher nature rather than your lower.

The good news of suffering is that it brings us to the end of ourselves - a purpose it has certainly served in my life. It brings us to the place of honesty, which is the place of desperation, which is the place of faith, which is the place of freedom.