He promises that in this life we will have trials and tribulations. That our faith will be tested. If we deny ourselves and pick up our crosses it will mean dying to self and the beginning of a whole new life. God is good and loving but He does have expectations for us that serve His purposes and our highest good. The only way to conquer our fears and doubts about God's plans for us is to surrender completely to H...is will. Jesus prayed - not my will Father, but your will be done. Job declared - even if He slays me, I will still trust Him. If we truly believe that God loves us and that His plans are for good and not evil - then this "surrender to the will of God" is what we all must do or we risk never really knowing Him. You cannot love both God and this world - for loving the one you prove yourself to be an enemy and traitor of the other. As a follower of Jesus, you now have an enemy - if it is God who you truly love.