Balance

Over the years, I have heard stories and explanations about what we should expect as we enter the afterlife.  Sometimes, especially in Protestant churches, one hears the stereotypical hellfire and brimstone sermon.  Other times, one gets the impression that God is the old man in the sky, winking at our sins, allowing anyone, except maybe mass murderers, into heaven.
In Orthodox circles, things are a little more balanced and solid, but there still seems to be a bit of back and forth.  On one hand, we hear how God wants all men to be saved, that God is a merciful and patient God, giving us long life, in order to repent.  But on the other hand, one reads stories of monks who have struggled all of their lives, striving after holiness, only to approach death with much fear, afraid that they will be turned away from heavens gate. 
I would be the last one to criticize a monk, but I really struggle to accept the idea that God would turn anyone away, especially one who has fought long and hard to love him with all of their heart.  Jesus taught us that his yoke is easy and his burden is light.  But one also had to realize that it is a yoke and it is a burden.
So we must strive to keep a balanced view.  We must work hard to walk the path of holiness, for it is a narrow path and we are fighting against an ungodly culture and our own fallen, corrupted natures.  But at the same time, God really, really loves us and wants us to be with him.  If we make use of the tools he has given us (church, prayer, repentance, confession, and the sacraments), we can be assured that he will be faithful and help us succeed and keep our faith, to the end.  The Christian faith is a battle, but God wants us to be holy and if we let him, he will do what it takes to get us there.