The Bumps are what you climb on

This is the title of a book by Warren Wiersbe I read many years ago. It sticks in the memory because it was one of those books that shine out of the morass of Christian pulp that exists (why is there so much poor quality and thankfully ephemeral dross out there?). This 'theodicy lite' tome was rather useful to a few people I was working with at the time and the short meditations in it helped many.

Pottering along I found a rather good depiction of life as we intend it and the reality we so often experience:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12