When the soul is willing, as it were, to be tempted, to be courted by sin, to hearken to its dalliances and solicitations, it hath lost of its conjugal affections unto Christ, and is entangled. ~ John Owen
Why is your heart so inconstant, especially in secret duties; why are you ready to be gone, almost as soon as you are come into the presence of God, but because your affections are not engaged?
Exercise holy trust in times of great distress. Make it your business to trust God with your life and comforts, and then your heart will be at rest about them.
Quiet your trembling heart by recording and consulting your past experiences of the care and faithfulness of God in former distresses. These experiences are food for your faith in a wilderness. By this David kept his heart in time of danger, and Paul his.
Suppose it possible for a careless Christian to attain assurance, yet it is impossible for him long to retain it; for it is a thousand to one if those whose hearts are filled with the joys of assurance, long retain those joys, unless extraordinary care be used.
We could not be happy without Christ. Take us to the golden pavement, the pearly gates, the songs, the thrones, the palms, the angels—we would still say, Where is the Godman that died for me? Where is the Angel that redeemed me from all evil? Where is Jesus?
If you turned off the news, went out into your community, and engaged with your fellow countrymen, you'd be amazed how little color really matters in 2020. Try it.