Hebrews 12:11
The process of education is not immediately appreciated; at the time it seems to be more pain than pleasure, but it certainly yields the harvest of righteousness for the faith athlete. (Mirror Bible)

Isn’t your education and training worth it?

The prima ballerina’s feet and toes bled as she learned to dance. The sculptor’s hands hurt and fingers blister as he becomes a more adept and skilled artist. The Olympic athlete sacrifices from early childhood and gives up what she wants to be great.

Hebrews 5:8 Although He was a Son [who had never been disobedient to the Father], He learned [active, special] obedience through what He suffered. (Amplified Bible, AMP)

Jesus learned obedience through the things that He suffered, and so will you. You don’t want to end up like the sons of Sceva.

Acts 19:15-16 But the evil spirit retorted, “I know and recognize and acknowledge Jesus, and I know about Paul, but as for you, who are you?” 16 Then the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they ran out of that house [in terror, stripped] naked and wounded. (Amplified Bible, AMP)

In order for you to accomplish the task the Father has assigned for you, you must be effective in this war. You will go through what He deems necessary for your perfection. The enemy knowing your name is a by-product of the life you live. As you stay in the presence of The Father, He will show you three types of changes that need to be made in your life. There are qualities:

• You don’t have, but you need.
• You have, but you need to develop and mature them.
• You have, but need to allow Him to remove them from your life.

You will go through circumstances and trials ordained to produce the result He is looking for.

2 Peter 1:5-8 But to obtain these gifts, you need more than faith; you must also work hard to be obedient, and even that is not enough. For then you must learn to know God better and discover what he wants you to do. 6 Next, learn to put aside your own desires so that you will become patient and godly, gladly letting God have his way with you. 7 This will make possible the next step, which is for you to enjoy other people and to like them, and finally you will grow to love them deeply. 8 The more you go on in this way, the more you will grow strong spiritually and become fruitful and useful to our Lord Jesus Christ. (Living Bible TLB, edited)

Instead of looking at the trials and tribulations as something that is painful that you want to go away; look into a mirror and see Jesus.

Please agree with me as I pray:

Father, please forgive me for wanting to sidestep the training You have established for my perfection. I want to be able to stand and say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”. I want a crown of righteousness, nothing else matters. You know what You ordained for me to be before the foundation of the world. You know what it will take for me to get there. You know what I will have to endure in order for the qualities required to be produced in my life. I submit myself to You. Tie me to the altar, so I won’t; move while you are doing the work that needs to be done in me. Thank You for choosing me. Thank You for continuing to mold and train me. Thank You for using me…