…put in the hard work and sacrifice required to get there.

This is true of counselees and it’s true of me! I want the result but do I want to pay my dues?

In other words, people want well-behaved children. They want that end result. However, they are not willing to spend the time training their children and disciplining them with the rod and reproof.

Others want to be drug-free but they don’t want to put in the hard work and effort to get to that point.

There are no quick fixes or easy answers. There are no magic pills to take.

God’s answer is this: “OBEY ME. Do what I say,” says the Lord. A life of godliness is practiced over time and yields the peaceable fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 against such there is no law. You will not get arrested for producing the fruit of real love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Let me encourage you to do what is right and is required today. In 10 years, you’ll be glad you did!

-Mark (saying “no” to my flesh and “yes” to the Holy Spirit)