Psalm 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
Homily:
It is delusional to expect a life of righteousness to be free of struggle. If it was true, we will all be righteous.
Bringing the flesh under the control of the spirit is the greatest struggle known to humans.
The intensity the flesh provides is hard to resist.
The consistency the spirit provides is hard to sustain.
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” – Luke 9:23
To win in life, we must learn to do hard things.
It is reassuring to know that God is committed to your victory, in spite of circumstance.