The crown came only after the cross. 
The glory after the pain.

Sometimes I forget that this life is the hard and joyous path I must walk.
Sometimes that path is not easy. 
Sometimes there is heartache.
Sometimes there is pain.
Sometimes there is loss.

Christ never promised an easy road.

He did promise we would never have to walk it alone.
He already walked the hardest path any man ever had to walk.
He already did the hard part. 
He already paid the price.

Now it is my turn to live my devotion to my Lord.
Now comes the hard part - not being a hearer only, but a doer of the Word.
And when it is all said and done we will have our joy. . . being with Him.