At times, people hesitate to build a deep relationship with the Lord because they think He will require painful sacrifices from them. They assume that they have troubles because the Father doesn’t care about them or is punishing them. But once they submit themselves to Him, the pressure they once felt lifts. They understand they can trust Him – and that He only wanted what was absolutely best for them.

God is God. There is none like him, and He doesn’t have to hound us to make His point or gain our attention. He may allow trouble to come as the result of sin or as a way to teach us more about Him. But the Father also understands that if we never experience times of adversity, we would miss one of the most important aspects of His love: His ability to work in our lives in the ways we need Him to the most – delivering us from spiritual bondage; heling us to rely on His faultless wisdom and power; and teaching us that nothing can touch our lives apart from His divine purposes.

“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” (Psalm 29:11)

(From “Every Day in His Presence,” by Charles Stanley)