"To rejoice evermore" and "in everything give thanks" is, from the human point of view, a well-nigh impossible undertaking. Mortal man is sometimes heard to say that if he had no more to contend with than do most of his acquaintances, it would be a comparatively easy matter for him to rejoice and give thanks. But as he considers the work that is required of him, he finds that the obstacles in his pathway are so numerous, the burdens he is called upon to bear are so heavy, the various temptations, even duties perhaps, calling him from the strait and narrow way are so manifold, that he is more inclined to dispute the assertion that it is possible to love God and keep His commandments, than he is to find ways and means of overcoming the things that retard his progress.
In the affairs of this world every man desires to succeed, but all are not willing to pay the cost of success. The successful man in any line of human activity is not the one who encounters no obstacles and meets with no disappointments, but the one who perseveres until he overcomes everything that stands between him and success. He is never heard to argue against success, but always in favor of it. He never wastes time and energy in considering the reasons why a thing cannot be done, but if he believes the thing is possible and worthy of accomplishment his whole effort and endeavor is to find a way to do it. The successful man's thought is never a house divided against itself. There is unity of thought and purpose, and faithful systematic labor continues until the desired result is attained.
If history has recorded that which is true in human experience, we find that the most worthy undertakings have encountered the greatest opposition, and the achievements which have resulted in the greatest good to humanity have been accomplished only by persons of great courage and strength of character. A lesser degree of strength and courage could not have continued faithful in the face of opposition, but would have given up in despair when perhaps success was almost attained. Only those who endure unto the end reap the reward of their labors.
