Though we often think suffering is something to be vehemently avoided, God has seemingly chosen to make it his distinct and unique training ground for heroes of the faith.

Some people praise curiosity as a spiritual discipline we each should partake in if we wish to know God and grow in holiness. In other circles it’s viewed as a dangerous practice where believers shouldn’t even acknowledge the words of someone they disagree with on secondary or tertiary issues. Who is right?

Whatever our trial, we can know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that God is using the trial to push our faith forward, to help it endure, to preserve it.

I was living as though grace were a one-time event, poured out at the cross and then into my life when I first believed, rather than seeing it as a rich reservoir from which I needed to drink daily.

A few drops of lust today could add up to an affair next year. A couple of drops of envy tomorrow might add up to a severed friendship next month.

Each month, Benjamin Vrbicek, the GCD managing editor, offers coaching to writers. This month: “Good writing needs surprise.”