A few thoughts - From my experience:-
Whoever truly believes and loves Jesus will have received His call to forsake all for Him, and will know something of the cross working in their lives.....(loosing their life for the sake of Jesus and the gospel in order that their life might be saved)
Also, they will understand that nothing is done by self effort, but by faith in the finished work of Christ, through the grace of God.
Our old nature is continually being put to death, as the word of God changes our hearts and minds, causing our obedience to the Lord, making us more like Christ. We are being set free by the truth.
We learn that we are not here to please ourselves, or other people, but to please God, and everything we do, we do as unto God alone, accepting praise from Him alone, as Jesus did.
Our old nature wants recognition and praise from people. Jesus said in John 5:44 "How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?" Even though He said this to the Jews, I think this is something that we all look for sometimes. I just realised when I re-read this scripture today that it can hinder our belief in God, when we look to others.
We can certainly feel lonely when the cross is having affect in our lives, because all the "loves" in our life are having to take second place as God draws us unto Himself. But in all reality, the fulfilment of the first and foremost commandment (To love the Lord our God with ALL our heart, soul, mind and strength) is truly becomming a part of us, as He is put first and foremost above everyone and everything else.
May we look to God for His Grace every day, even through our trials, sufferings, lonliness and pain, knowing that everything He does He does out of pure Love for us, with a Wisdom far above ours. He so dearly loves us.
May God bless you all richly.
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