Perhaps, O tried soul, the Lord is doing this to develop your graces. There are some of your graces which would never be discovered, if it were not for your trials. Do you not know that your faith never looks so grand in summer weather, as it does in winter?
Love is too often like a glow-worm, showing but little light unless it is in the midst of surrounding darkness. Hope itself is like a star, not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, but only to be discovered in the night of adversity. Afflictions are often the black foils in which God sets the jewels of His children's graces, to make them shine the better.
Real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials. God often takes away our comforts and our privileges, in order to make us better Christians.
He trains His soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury but by forcing them into difficult marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many a long mile with heavy knapsacks of sorrow on their backs.
Well, Christian, may not this account for the troubles through which you are passing? Is not the Lord bringing out your graces, and making them grow? Is not this the reason why He is contending with you?
[Charles H. Spurgeon]
Job 10:2 … I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.
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