Defeat is not failure until you stop trying.

Many Christians want the glory without the cross, the shining without the burning, the coronation without the crucifixion 

Matt. 19:29-30   29 “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. 30 “But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.

Romans 5:3-5 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

2 Chronicles 15: 7  “But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.”

Ecclesiastes 9: 9 Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun; for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun.

Matthew 5 12 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Proverbs 21:31  The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the Lord.

Proverbs 24:6 For by wise guidance you will wage war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory.

I Corinthians 15: 54-57   54  But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory.  55  “O death, where is your victory? O  death, where is your sting?”  56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I John 5: 3-4 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.