Ignore the televangelists who preach prosperity. I mean, I have no idea where any Christian gets the idea that God is going to bless us with good fortune. The Bible I know tells grim tales of following Christ. John the Baptist - beheaded. Jesus - crucified for our sins. Peter - crucified. Paul - beheaded. Andrew - said to have been crucified. Thomas - said to have been speared by soldiers. Philip - said to have been put to death by Romans. Matthew - said to have been martyred. Bartholomew - said to have been martyred. James - historian Josephus reported James was stoned and clubbed to death. Simon - reportedly killed in Persia. Matthias - burned to death. John - actually died of old age! Miraculous! Then, look at the history of the Jews - God's chosen people. Captivity, holocaust, and lots of strife. But, modern events like creating the state of Israel, the 6 Days War, and the Raid on Entebbe tell me God us still with them.