Are you asking the reason for this, believer? Look upward to your heavenly Father and behold Him pure and holy. You are to be like Him one day . Will you be conformed to His image easily? Will you require much refining? Will it be an easy thing to get rid of your corruptions and make you perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect?

Next, Christian, turn your eye downward. Do your know what foes you have beneath your feet? You were once a servant of Satan, and no king will willingly lose his subjects. Do you think that Satan will let you alone? No he will always be at you, for he "goeth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" ( 1 Peter 5:8 ). Expect trouble, Christian. Look around you. You are in an enemy's country, a stranger and a sojourner. The world is not your friend. If it is, then you are not God's friend, for who is the friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Be assured that you will find enemies everywhere. When you sleep, think that you are resting on the battlefield. When you walk, suspect an ambush in every hedge. As mosquitos are said to bite strangers more than natives, so will the trials of earth be sharpest to you.

Lastly, look within your own heart and observe what is there. Sin and self are still within. Expect trouble. But do not despair, because God said, "I will be with thee in trouble, I will deliver thee and honor thee" ( Psalm 91:15)

From C. H. Spurgeon : Morning by Morning, meditation for daily living.