Imagine when you have a test. Let’s say it is dying to the praise of men tonight or to pride or lust. Let’s say it is dying to eating food tonight or being submissive to your husband tonight or loving someone hard to love. Whatever you struggle with, bring it to mind now. Imagine having to die—giving up your will, your body, your soul, your dreams, whatever it is—in this test. You have always been alone. You try to do this alone. But look again at Romans 6:4: We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. This means you are buried with Christ. There is burial with Christ and life with Christ—so you are not alone in either. So in this test, I know Jesus is right there with me; so I ask Him anything and He answers my prayer. The prayers are automatically answered. [For example: “Jesus, shorten this painful test to last only one minute.” One minute later, the painful test is over, miraculously.] This is powerful. Your love for Christ will abound. The test becomes the opportunity. This burial gives you this power, and with these answered prayers, this relationship develops.

For more, read The Legend to the Treasure.