Could Sanctification have any more highs and lows?

Up.
Down.
Up.
Down.
Down.
Down.
Down.
Up.
Down.
Down.

This is how it feels to me.  However, it’s not totally true.  There are actually more ups than downs.  But sometimes it doesn’t feel that way and it can get discouraging.  There are 2 things I recommend.
1.)  Press in harder to Christ. We know this is true, yet we don’t always do this.  If someone we know sees things in us that are sinful, our reaction is to stay away from them as much as possible.  Sometimes we carry this practice over to our relationship with Christ.  However, here, we must do what doesn’t come natural.  We must press in harder to Christ.  Fill your mind with Scripture.  Read. Read. Read.  Fill your time with prayer.
2.)  Find people you can do deep accountability with. We all need people around us who love Jesus and love us and want to see us grow in holiness.  This is tough.  We tend to find faults in others too easily.  We want to tear down others too much.  Rarely do I find others interested in pushing me on in holiness.  I’m not talking about correcting someones theology, I’m talking about wanting them to be Christ-like.  We need to find relationships where the people who really love us can come along side us and lovingly point out the sin in our lives.  We must receive this well, because they love us and want to worship Christ with our lives.

Sanctification is tough.  But, this verse encouraged me so much this week.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
(23) Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (24) He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.