Although the Believer is often a recipient of these, the Christian Life is not about:

Fun, entertainment, getting a better life, becoming a better you, the pursuit of happiness, satisfaction, success, prosperity, getting needs met, healing, miracle seeking and/or worshiping, correcting bad habits, self-esteem, respectability, better social standing, politically-correct tolerance, hand-holding with the fallen world in attempts at psuedo-world peace, bows and ribbons and pretty wrapping that cover up our depraved, fallen, sinful nature.

But it is about:

forgivness, grace, mercy / obedience, surrender, victory through pain, running when tired, getting up every time you're knocked down, living for others, slavery to a good master, work when you don't feel like it, meeting and overcoming challenges that enable you to take-on bigger challenges, suffering to be able to manifest God’s love to a suffering world, killing fleshly control over your mind, idol destroying, groanings and pangs of the heart which birth more Christlikeness in your heart and life, persecution, secret acts of kindness and love which go unnoticed by all except the God who sees all and rewards all.

Whether we like it or not, the ABUNDANT LIFE often includes blood, sweat & tears  -  crosses, nails, & spears.

In the same vein, the Church is not a fixer-upper place for the outward man, a social club, an alternative to the world, six-flags over Jesus, group therapy, a week-end entertainment theater,

a vending machine or a bubble gum dispenser,  a restuarant where you are served before GOD is served!

Church is a war room, an emergency room, a class room, a living room, and a throne room!