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`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) |
