It’s kind of like an athlete preparing for the upcoming season. Say, for example, basketball season is starting soon. Typically, the basketball coach asks you to do some running in practice; you do sprints up and down the court, up and down the court. At times, it seems useless. But, once into the season, you begin to see the purpose for all that conditioning. It’s to make you strong for the game and to help you make it through the season.
From LeRoy Redding’s Sermon: Victorious Faith