No one whose first concern is feeling good can be a disciple. We are called to carry a cross and to glorify God.

One does not surrender a life in an instant. That which is lifelong can only be surrendered in a lifetime.

It is through the tender austerity of our troubles that the Son of Man comes knocking. In every event He seeks an entrance to my heart, yes, even in my most helpless, futile, fruitless moments. The very cracks and empty crannies of my life, my perplexities and hurts and botched-up jobs, He wants to fill with Himself, His joy, His life...He urges me to learn of Him: 'I am gentle and humble in heart.

Self-pity is... a sinkhole from which no rescuing hand can drag you because you have chosen to sink.

Until the will and the affections are brought under the authority of Christ, we have not begun to understand, let alone to accept, His lordship.

You are loved with an everlasting love. And underneath are the everlasting arms.

One way to begin to see how vastly indulgent we usually are is to fast. It is a long day that is not broken by the usual three meals. One finds out what an astonishing amount of time is spent in the planning, purchasing, preparing, eating, and cleaning up of meals.