Perhaps my stand for Jesus is because i fear GOD so very much. Once I was complaining to the Lord about why I was in such a time of extreme pressure. In my way of thinking I could be doing so much better if the Lord would just remove all this pressure from my life, I would be fine. In an instant of time, in a vision, GOD showed me what would happen if the pressure was removed. I then repented, I had no further complaint.
Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God."
The masses of people most unfortunately miss GOD. Most are seekers of pleasurable worldly pursuits. The will of GOD for your life will most likely be not pleasurable to the flesh. The spirit wars against the flesh and the flesh wars against the spirit as written in the Book of James. This is why the Bible also says , he who has suffered in his flesh has ceased from sin. Suffering in the flesh is the path to the Kingdom of GOD. No pain no gain.
2 Cor 4:11 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
I love to reference the situation where Jesus rebuked Satan when Peter told the Lord , no way was He going to suffer in Jerusalem and die. Satan was able to speak through Peter because they shared the same mindset. No suffering in the flesh, instead feed the flesh although the flesh will never be satisfied. Feeding the flesh does not carry out the purposes of God but instead the purposes of man. Notice how our Lord Jesus responded.
Matt 16:23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's."
