An old Quaker had been going through hard times. One day, as he prayed, he got really honest with God.

“Lord,” he said, “I’m not surprised you have as few friends as you do, considering the way you treat the ones you have.”

Sometimes Christians misunderstand what God has promised. I heard someone put it this way: Believers may think they’ve been given a ticket for a cruise ship, when they’re really serving on a battleship.

Those who served in the Navy know there’s quite a difference.

Suppose you sign up for a top-of-the-line Disney cruise. You might expect Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Cinderella, Moana, Elsa and Goofy to entertain you. You might look forward to world-class service, multiple dining options, spacious staterooms with balconies, pools, waterslides, fitness centers, fireworks at sea and private island stops.

Sounds great, doesn’t it? At least until you remember the cost.

But a cruise is all about you—serving you, thrilling you and meeting your every need.

Now compare that with a World War II battleship.

A pleasure cruise? Not exactly. Comfortable accommodations? Good luck. Exciting characters to entertain you? Not unless you count enemy attacks as daily entertainment.

So, which one is the Christian life more like: a pleasure cruise or a warship?

The book of Hebrews in the New Testament gives us perspective. In Chapter 11, the writer begins by listing Old Testament examples of God doing amazing things. By faith, God’s people saw the universe created by his command. Noah and his family were saved from the flood. Moses was protected from Pharaoh. The Israelites crossed the Red Sea on dry ground. Joshua won a decisive battle when God caused the walls of Jericho to fall.

The list continues with those “who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames and escaped the edge of the sword.”

Amazing stuff. It almost sounds as if trusting God means everything will turn out wonderfully, like life aboard a Disney cruise.

Hebrews also tells of others who were tortured, faced jeers and flogging, were chained and put in prison and were stoned or put to death by the sword. They were destitute, persecuted and mistreated.

Not exactly the cruise many people hope for.

The truth is a relationship with God is not mainly about the few short years we live on this earth. It’s about Jesus’ promise of eternal life with him for all who believe.

John 3:16 says it plainly: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

That is not necessarily a promise of smooth sailing. But it is a promise that God is in charge, and as you trust him, he will be with you no matter what the days may bring.