We would consider ourselves blessed when things are going well and we are having a mountain top experience. But the beatitudes (Mt. 5) tell us that blessed are you when you are poor in spirit, mourn, meek, hunger and thirst after righteousness or persecuted for righteousness sake... None of these are things that feel good, that we would pray for or work toward. Verse 12 tells us to 'rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven.'
There is one, Jesus Christ, who doesn't give you the cold shoulder but nurtures you through trials and troubles that you might be great in the kingdom of heaven, having the character to handle that which He desires to bestow upon His children.
Character is not a gift but must be developed and is therefore one of the purposes of the journey, that we are on. In contrast, Lucifer was created great but lacked the character to rule and therefore due to his given greatness he fell, whereas Jesus Christ hanging on the cross could have called ten thousand angles to set Him free but He Chose the Father's will.
What do we chose???
There is one, Jesus Christ, who doesn't give you the cold shoulder but nurtures you through trials and troubles that you might be great in the kingdom of heaven, having the character to handle that which He desires to bestow upon His children.
Character is not a gift but must be developed and is therefore one of the purposes of the journey, that we are on. In contrast, Lucifer was created great but lacked the character to rule and therefore due to his given greatness he fell, whereas Jesus Christ hanging on the cross could have called ten thousand angles to set Him free but He Chose the Father's will.
What do we chose???
