|
Trials?
`The
Lord's care is over all His creatures. He loves them all, and makes
no difference, except that He has the most tender pity for those who
are called to bear life's heaviest burdens. God's children must meet
trials and difficulties. But they should accept their lot with a
cheerful spirit, remembering that for all that the world neglects to
bestow, God Himself will make up to them in the best of favors.’
(HP120)
|
`All
our suffering and sorrows, all our temptations and trials, all our
sadness and griefs, all our persecutions and privations; in short,
all things work together for our good. All experiences and
circumstances are God's workmen whereby good is brought to us.'
(MH489) |
`With
Him there can be no such thing as failure, loss, impossibility, or
defeat; we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. When
temptations and trials come, do not wait to adjust all the
difficulties, but look to Jesus, your helper.’ (DA490)
`It
should not be difficult to remember that the Lord desires you to lay
your troubles and perplexities at His feet, and leave them there. Go
to Him, saying: "Lord, my burdens are too heavy for me to
carry. Wilt Thou bear them for me?" And He will answer: "I
will take them."’ (TM519)
`If
received in faith, the trial that seems so bitter and hard to bear
will prove a blessing. The cruel blow that blights the joys of earth
will be the means of turning our eyes to heaven. How many there are
who would never have known Jesus had not sorrow led them to seek
comfort in Him!’ (MB10)
Always
remember, therefore, . . .
There
is no wine without crushing the grape
There is no fragrance without crushing the flower
There is no oil without squeezing the olive
There is no joy without sorrow
There is no character without trial
|
`God has a song to teach us, and when we have learned it amid the shadows of affliction we can sing it ever afterward.' (MH472) |
Yes!
`it
is obstacles that make men strong. It is not helps, but
difficulties, conflicts, rebuffs, that make men of moral sinew.’
(3T495)
`Through
trial and persecution the glory - the character - of God is revealed
in His chosen ones.' (AA576)
`When
trials come, remember that they are sent for your good. . . . When
trials and tribulations come to you know that they are sent in order
that you may receive from the Lord of glory renewed strength and
increased humility, so that He may safely bless and support and
uphold you.’ (ML185)
`The
experience to be gained in the furnace of trial is worth all the
pain it costs. Thus God brings His children near to Him, that He may
show them their weaknesses and His strength. He teaches them to lean
on Him.' (AA574)
`It
is true that disappointments will come; tribulation we must expect;
but we are to commit everything, great and small, to God. He does
not become perplexed by the multiplicity of our grievances nor
overpowered by the weight of our burdens. His watchcare extends to
every household and encircles every individual; He is concerned in
all our business and our sorrows. He marks every tear; He is touched
with the feeling of our infirmities. All the afflictions and trials
that befall us here are permitted, to work out His purposes of love
toward us’ (5T742)
`When
passing through trials, we may know that God is striving to lead us
to know Him and place our trust in Him.' (ST 04-11-00)
`Trials
and obstacles are the Lord's chosen methods of discipline and His
appointed conditions of success. He who reads the hearts of men
knows their characters better than they themselves know them. He
sees that some have powers and susceptibilities which, rightly
directed, might be used in the advancement of His work. In His
providence He brings these persons into different positions and
varied circumstances that they may discover in their character the
defects which have been concealed from their own knowledge. He gives
them opportunity to correct these defects and to fit themselves for
His service. Often He permits the fires of affliction to assail them
that they may be purified.
`The
fact that we are called upon to endure trial shows that the Lord
Jesus sees in us something precious which He desires to develop. If
He saw in us nothing whereby He might glorify His name, He would not
spend time in refining us. He does not cast worthless stones into
His furnace. It is valuable ore that He refines. The blacksmith puts
the iron and steel into the fire that he may know what manner of
metal they are. The Lord allows His chosen ones to be placed in the
furnace of affliction to prove what temper they are of and whether
they can be fashioned for His work.
`The
potter takes the clay and molds it according to his will. He kneads
it and works it. He tears it apart and presses it together. He wets
it and then dries it. He lets it lie for a while without touching
it. When it is perfectly pliable, he continues the work of making of
it a vessel. He forms it into shape and on the wheel trims and
polishes it. He dries it in the sun and bakes it in the oven. Thus
it becomes a vessel fit for use. So the great Master Worker desires
to mold and fashion us. And as the clay is in the hands of the
potter, so are we to be in His hands. We are not to try to do the
work of the potter. Our part is to yield ourselves to be molded by
the Master Worker. (MH471-472)
`Often
our trials are such that they seem almost unbearable, and without
help from God they are indeed unbearable. Unless we rely upon Him we
shall sink under the burden of responsibilities that bring only
sadness and grief. But if we make Jesus our dependence, we shall not
sink under trial.’ (ML184)
`The
promises of God are full and abundant, and there is no need for
anyone to depend upon humanity for strength. To all that call upon
Him, God is near to help and succor.’ (TM381)
His
`love for His children during the period of their severest trial, is
as strong and tender as in the days of their sunniest prosperity.’
(GC621)
`Words
cannot describe the peace and joy possessed by him who takes God at
His word. Trials do not disturb him, slights do not vex him. Self is
crucified. Day by day his duties may become more taxing, his
temptations stronger, his trials more severe; but he does not
falter; for he receives strength equal to his need.’ (MYP98)
|
