On Faith...

The tendency of circumstances is to bind or hearts to the earth: when prosperous, to make us satisfied with things; when adverse, to make us repine over or covet the things which we do not have. Nothing but the exercise of real faith can lift our hearts above circumstances, for faith looks away from all things seen, so that the heart delights itself and finds its peace and joy in the Lord (Ps. 37:4). This is never easy to any of us; it is always a fight, and only Divine grace (diligently sought) can give us the victory. Oftentimes we fail; when we do, this must be confessed to God (1 John 1:9), and a fresh start made. ...It is not easy for faith to rise above circumstances; no, it is not. It is difficult, at times, extremely difficult; so the writer has found it [and me - the blogger, too). But remember, a "fight" is not finished in a moment, by one blow; oftentimes the victor receives many wounds and is sorely pounded before he finally knocks out his enemy. - A.W. Pink