“I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:15–17, ESV)

Jesus’s prayer in John 17 is a wonder of encouragement and strength to all those who walk by faith. The life of any believer can find solace in these words. This isn’t an innately comforting or fluffy thought. Rather, the blessing of Christ’s words are His concern for His people’s sanctification. 

Christ’s concern for our sanctification opens the door for an important realization—Christian, whatever life throws at you, Christ cares for you in the middle of it all. No matter what you have before you in life, both good or bad, it is a sanctifying reality in Christ. 

The cares of life are many and can overwhelmingly compete, in turn keeping us from being sanctified in the truth. As followers of Christ we must have a singular care and wish for life as we trust in God’s sanctifying purposes. 

“Rather let your care and wish be to glorify God by your life here as long as he pleases, even though it be in the midst of toil, and conflict, and suffering, and leave him to say when “it is enough.” —Spurgeon, C. H.