'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)
'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)
'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
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)
'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)
'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)
