In the running of the Christian life, we can err by looking only at the past; this is sin, for it is a lack of faith in God’s future blessing. But we can also err by looking only at so distant a future that we miss the more immediate blessings that God has in store for us now. If we are really to engage in that great struggle for God’s best, we must also prepare for vigorous spiritual conflict. Our striving is not only against ourselves or circumstances but against the spiritual forces of this world that would seek to hinder us.