THE VALUE OF ADVERSITY
IT IS good for us to have trials and troubles
at times, for they often remind us that we are on probation and ought
not to hope in any worldly thing. It is good for us sometimes to
suffer contradiction, to be misjudged by men even though we do well
and mean well. These things help us to be humble and shield us from
vainglory. When to all outward appearances men give us no credit, when
they do not think well of us, then we are more inclined to seek God
Who sees our hearts. Therefore, a man ought to root himself so firmly
in God that he will not need the consolations of men.
When a man of good will is afflicted, tempted,
and tormented by evil thoughts, he realizes clearly that his greatest
need is God, without Whom he can do no good. Saddened by his miseries
and sufferings, he laments and prays. He wearies of living longer and
wishes for death that he might be dissolved and be with Christ. Then
he understands fully that perfect security and complete peace cannot
be found on earth. |
Of the uses of adversity
It is good for us that we
sometimes have sorrows and adversities, for they often make a man lay
to heart that he is only a stranger and sojourner, and may not put his
trust in any worldly thing. It is good that we sometimes endure
contradictions, and are hardly and unfairly judged, when we do and
mean what is good. For these things help us to be humble, and shield
us from vain-glory. For then we seek the more earnestly the witness
of God, when men speak evil of us falsely, and give us no credit for
good.
2. Therefore ought a man to rest
wholly upon God, so that he needeth not seek much comfort at the hand
of men. When a man who feareth God is afflicted or tried or oppressed
with evil thoughts, then he seeth that God is the more necessary unto
him, since without God he can do no good thing. Then he is heavy of
heart, he groaneth, he crieth out for the very disquietness of his
heart. Then he groweth weary of life, and would fain depart and be
with Christ. By all this he is taught that in the world there can be
no perfect security or fulness of peace. |