The Apostle Paul told young Timothy, "Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus."  Did you get that?  Suffer hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  You see, the Christian life is not a playground. It's a battleground. It is spiritual warfare.  We are soldiers of the cross and we're part of the Lord's army.  Don't ever get the idea that the Christian life is all honey and no bees, that it's a day at the beach where you bring your flip-flops and your floaties.  The real Christian life is a day of battle where you put on the full armor of God so that you can stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  Let's determine to be good soldiers of Christ Jesus, because good soldiers find real hope.