The Christian life is no bed of roses, but it's not intended to be, the Christian life is a sacrificial life based on the cross of Jesus Christ in whose steps we are supposed to trod. Jesus in John 21 shows Peter how his death on the cross, Peter's death, will bring glory to God. He concludes that prophecy with "follow me". Jesus appears to Saul and shows him how 'great things he must suffer' for Jesus Christ, and suffer them he absolutely did. When Paul tells us to follow him as he follows Christ, that path leads directly to Paul's death, this is the true Christian life. Paul's letter to the Philippians, one of his 'prison epistles', is a veritable textbook of the attitudes in which we as Christians living in the end times should have on display on a daily basis. In this small but powerful book, Paul shows us the necessity of proper attitude and a right motivation that every Christian should possess. Joel Osteen wants you to live your 'best life now', a life that is based on you 'manifesting your dreams and desires', but Paul shows us a life based on the desires of the Lord Jesus Christ.