The complainer is further embarassed by the moral company in which he finds himself. His is a spiritual affinity with some pretty shady characters: Cain, Korah, the sulky elder brother, the petulant Jews of the Book of Malachi who answered every fatherly admonition of God with an ill-humored”Wherefore have we? Wherein have we?” These are but a few faces that stand out in the picture of the disgruntled followers of the religious way. And the complaining Christian, if he but looks closely, will see his own face peering out at him from the background. Lastly, the believer who complains against the difficulties of the way proves that he has never felt or known the sorrows which broke over the head of Christ when He was here among men. After one look at Gethsemane or Calvary, the Christian can never again believe that his own path is a hard one. We dare not compare our trifling pains with the sublime passion endured for our salvation. Any comparison would itself be the supreme argument against our complaints, for what sorrow is like unto His? After saying all this we are yet sure that no one can be reasoned out of the habit of complaining. That habit is more than a habit–it is a disease of the soul, and as such, it will never yield to mere logic. The only cure is cleansing in the blood of the Lamb. AW Tozer

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”–Ephesians 4:1-3

Getting along with other Christians is one of our foremost responsibilities and challenges. At the moment of conversion, we are born into a new spiritual family. We become God’s children, and all those who belong to Him are also related to us. We soon realize what the Bible means when it refers to us as strangers and pilgrims. We have less in common with this world and with those who are a part of this world’s system. At the same time, we have much more in common with our new family. God is our Father; Jesus is our Savior; the Bible is our guide; Heaven is our home; holiness is our objective; evangelism is our purpose; love is our motivation; and integrity is our passion.

This commonness is even more pronounced in our relationship to the members of our church body. We are bound together by the strong cords of charity and purpose. We are united in our care for one another and in our goal of impacting our communities with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet, the painful reality is that believers can have a very difficult time getting along with each other, forgiving each other, and remaining loyal to each other. It takes effort to keep our churches unified, as God wants them to be.

The Scripture charges us with the words, “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” To endeavor means we have to work at it; it takes labor and effort. Maintaining the right spirit towards one another does not happen automatically. Our flesh can find reasons to hold grudges or harbor ill feelings. The devil is actively working to divide and isolate the sheep from the flock and their shepherd.

As challenging as unity may seem, we know it is possible because it is God’s will for us. We must remain humble, treating others with “lowliness and meekness.” Pride drives wedges between the best of friends. We are to have “longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.” Because of our love, we are able to bear with and be patient with each other. By God’s grace, and with the right attitude, we can experience the kind of unity He desires.–Thomas Smith

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;”–James 1: 2

Think of the people in the Bible who faced the death of their dreams. Abraham dreamed of being the father of a great nation, but he was still childless in old age. Joseph dreamed of grandeur in Genesis 37, but he landed in an Egyptian prison. Prince Moses of Egypt dreamed of liberating his people, but he was thrown out of Egypt as a murderer. David dreamed of leading the armies of Israel, but he became their prey. Thomas dreamed of proclaiming the Messiah, but his Jesus was crucified. Paul dreamed of going to Spain, but was a prisoner of Rome.

And yet in each case, the setbacks became stepping stones; for in God’s will there is no failure, and out of His will there is no success. Our dreams sometimes die so they can be reborn in the image of God’s will. Faith is trusting God’s promises when they are most needed, and going forward without a loss of enthusiasm. God provides the opportunity of having big dreams, but we must work according to His timing and will to achieve them. Along the way, if your dream dies, don’t let your spirits falter. Keep your eyes focused on Jesus, count it all joy, and wait for Him to give the victory.

Failure isn’t so bad if it doesn’t attack the heart. Success is all right if it doesn’t go to the head.–Grantland Rice in Turning Point