God never places us...

God never places is in any position in which we cannot grow. We may fancy that He does. We may fear we are so impeded by fretting, petty cares that we are gaining nothing; but when we are not sending any branches upward,  we may be sending roots downward. Perhaps in the time of our humiliation, when everything seems a failure, we are making the best kinds of progress. God delights to try out faith by the conditions in which He places us. A plant set in the shade shows where its heart is by turning towards the sun, even when unable to reach it. We have so much to distract us in this world that we do not realise how truly and deeply, if not always warmly and consciously we love Christ. But I believe that this love is the strongest principle in every regenerate soul. It may slumber for a time, it may falter, it may freeze nearly to death; but sooner or later it will declare itself as the ruling passion.
 If some other trial would serve God's purpose, He would substitute it.

Elizabeth Prentiss

MY life?

...so what part of one's life might be reserved for the self alone?

Head? Hand? Heart? Accounts? Barns? Three o'clock on a Saturday afternoon?

Every place is holy because God is there;

Every part of life a matter of holiness because it is to be offered unto God. 

William Law

Habits

Habits discover the state of our souls, 

[they] plainly show the whole turn of the mind. 

William Law

Heart Work - A.W. Pink

“God is not the author of confusion” (1Co 14:33). 

No, the devil causes that, and he has succeeded in creating much in the thinking of many by confounding the “heart” with the “nature.” People say, “I was born with an evil heart, and I cannot help it.” It would be more correct to say, “I was born with an evil nature, which I am responsible to subdue.” The Christian needs clearly to recognize that in addition to his two “natures”—the flesh and the spirit—he has a heart which God requires him to “keep.” 

(...)  I cannot change or better my “nature,” but I may and must my “heart.” For example, “nature” is slothful and loves ease, but the Christian is to redeem the time and be zealous of good works. Nature hates the thought of death, but the Christian should bring his heart to desire to depart and be with Christ. 

The popular religion of the day is either a head or a hand one. That is to say, the labouring to acquire a larger and fuller intellectual group of the things of God or a constant round of activities called, “Service for the Lord.” But the heart is neglected! Thousands are reading, studying, taking “Bible courses,” but for all the spiritual benefits their souls derive, they might as well be engaged in breaking stones.

The Word of God

Is the Bible the Word of God? Then mind that you do not neglect it. Read it! Read it!

Begin to read it this very day. What greater insult to God can a man be guilty of than to refuse to read the letter God sends him from heaven?

Oh , be sure , if you will not read your Bible you are in a fearful danger of losing your soul!
You are in danger, because God will reckon with your for your neglect of the Bible in the day of judgement.

You will have to give account of your use of time, strength and money; and you will also have to give account of your use of the Word. You will not stand at that bar in the same level, in point of responsibility with the dweller in central Africa, who never heard of the Bible. Oh! No! To whom much is given, of them much will be required.

Of all men's buried talents none will weigh them so heavily as a neglected Bible. As you deal with your Bible so God will deal with your soul.

Will you not repent, and turn over a new leaf in life, and read your Bible?

Excerpt from Inspiration in  ' Old Paths'

by J. C. Ryle