From Polishing God’s Monuments: Pillars of Hope for Punishing Times by Jim Andrews:
Just as the Lord forewarned Moses, so the Scriptures forewarn us that the Christian life is not going to be a walk in the park, that we should not be surprised when fiery trials come upon us (1 Peter 4:12), that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22), that we should not expect the world to love us (John 15:20), that many are the afflictions of the righteous (Psalm 34:19; John 16:33), and that various trials are both necessary and beneficial for us (1 Peter 1:6 and James 1:2). Still, despite all we should know and be well prepared for, we sometimes react as though, in the words of 1 Peter 4:12, some strange and unaccountable things were happening to us.
My friends, if anyone is intent upon taking up his or her cross and following after Christ, put this down: the abnormal state of Christian existence on this planet is an untroubled life. And, the truth be told, a healthy, vital spiritual life can ill-afford untrammeled peace and prosperity for long. For it is a law of life that all strength is born of resistance, not repose. Andrews, p. 276
The Works of God 
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