Imagine telling someone who is about to run a marathon that it will be easy. Or telling a parent that raising a kid is a piece of cake that won't change their life at all. It would be malpractice not to disclose the challenges that are ahead -- even if you don't know exactly what those are, you should tell them that it'll be tough, but that it's worth it.
Those who promise that a Christian life are not leading you closer to the truth of the Gospel. Paul was upfront with the church that there was suffering in the future, but that didn't water down the truth or the strength of the message. It was just as true, but the world didn't comprehend it, and the world was resistant to it. Suffering doesn't make the Gospel less true. Jesus was the best Christian ever, and he suffered tremendously, but he endured the Gospel because of what was on the other side of death.
In the same way, there is something on the other side of whatever suffering we are called to endure. We walk through the valley of the shadow of death -- we don't remain there. There is life and light beyond the dark night of the soul, so we endure, and we gather a community to support us through each step we take.
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