We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.
– Charles Swindoll –
Hardship
Affliction is good – Thomas Watson
Afflictions work for good, as they conform us to Christ. His life was a series of sufferings—”a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” Isaiah 53:3. He wept, and bled! Was His head crowned with thorns—and do we think to be crowned with roses? It is good to be like Christ—though it be by sufferings!
– Thomas Watson –
Peace Amidst Trouble – Thomas Watson
If God be our God, He will give us peace in trouble. When there is storm without, He will make peace within. The world can create trouble in peace, but God can create peace in trouble.
– Thomas Watson –
Affliction of the godly and wicked – Thomas Watson
Affliction of the godly is like bruising spices, which are most sweet and fragrant. Affliction of the wicked is like pounding weeds, which makes them more unsavory.
– Thomas Watson –
I wouldn’t be anywhere else – Gladys Aylward
Life is pitiful, death so familiar, suffering and pain so common, yet I would not be anywhere else. Do not wish me out of this or in any way seek to get me out, for I will not be got out while this trial is on. These are my people, God has given them to me, and I will live or die with them for Him and His glory.
– Gladys Aylward –
Stony paths and strong shoes – Corrie ten Boom
If God sends us on stony paths, He provides strong shoes.
– Corrie ten Boom –
Losing all but Jesus – Charles Spurgeon
It is no loss to lose all but Jesus.
– Charles Spurgeon –
Dealing with concerns – Corrie ten Boom
Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden.
– Corrie ten Boom –
Affliction quickens prayer – Thomas Watson
Affliction quickens the spirit of prayer. Jonah was asleep in the ship—but at prayer in the whale’s belly! Perhaps in a time of health and prosperity we pray in a cold and formal manner—we put no coals to the incense; we scarcely minded our own prayers, and how should God mind them?Then God sends some cross or other affliction to make us take hold of Him. Now their prayers pierced the heavens! In times of trouble, we pray earnestly and fervently.
– Thomas Watson –