He never Promised Me A Rose Garden

Much harm has been done by the ill-advised belief that to be an effective Christian, certain principles must be mastered. Get a good grasp on these principles, these formulas, and the rest of the story is success, and sunshiny days. But the story - of your life, of reality - is too uncertain for that. The road is full of swift, unmarked turns and curves. And many ambushes await you - ambushes of doubt, depression, temptation, establishing your own security instead of trusting God. It just can't be pushed down into principles or forced into formulas. The effective, useful, fruitful, enjoyable Christian life comes by a dynamic, intimate, fellowship with God. Knowing about Him is not enough. Mastering His principles is  not the way, though outwardly it may appear to be. Good P.R. - expert marketing - may give the appearance of health and growth, but lasting, living, spiritual growth comes from within. Develop and nurture an intimate fellowship with God by committing your life to Him. Let Him walk you to the secret sins of lust or pride or doubt or greed or gluttony or laziness - and give them all to Him. Then ask Him to fill you to overflowing with the Holy Spirit.