Pastor Teddy Hart preached a great message on suffering at Renovatus two weeks ago. When he was done, he asked if he could pray for me along with our prayer pastor, Jason Goodnight. Of course I said yes. Teddy had rightly discerned the spiritual battle I have been in.

There is a difference between Christian virtues that are hard fought and well-lived and purely natural dispositions. In my case, I am generally perceived as a charitable person—largely due to a naturally warm, gregarious demeanor. But I am by no means convinced that I am yet formed in the virtue of charity. The truth is, I have been frequently shocked at the raging violence that is still within me...