Many things in life are awful to do, but wonderful after we do it. For example, physical exercise. If it wasn’t bad, everyone would do it, but after you do it, you feel good for investing in your health. Forgiving those who hurt you is also unpleasant, but the feeling of relief is wonderful after you forgive. There are many things in life like this: awful to do but wonderful after they are done. And if you notice, most of them have to do with a disciplined, restrained life.

On this subject, the apostle Paul said:

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.” Romans 7:18,19

He spoke of this war that there is within the human being of wanting to do good and not getting it and, on the other hand, not wanting to do evil and end up doing it. And your success in life depends on winning this war.

“For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Romans 7:22-24

Why are there so many wars, destruction, disease, and misery in the world? Because human beings follow their own will and not of God. Whenever you follow your will, it will lead you to misery. But if you want to be free, subject your will to God’s will.