We are marked with a seal

I read this verse today  "When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory " Eph 1:14

I realized something that most people ( myself included) sometime end up believing. It says " When you believed you were marked in him with a seal..." Then often we do not read the rest of the verse. We think because we are "sealed" that we are sealed in from the outside world. We think our belief is a sealant against all bad things, heartache, and loss. I have  had to learn that when we are marked, we are marked so God can use us, not so we can live in a bubble of protection. 

At times it seems impossible, unfair, and plain difficult to see how God is using your rough time as a way to grow his kingdom. Friends, I encourage you to keep an open mind. Trials will make us stronger. We are marked with a seal and that is a massive responsibility to follow His call. Not a guarantee of comfort. 

Hope you have a great day!