All depends on the manner in which we profit by them or otherwise.
Perfect happiness is not to be looked for in this world. If it
could be secured, it would be found profitless. The hollowest of
all gospels is the gospel of ease and comfort. Difficulty, and
even failure, are far better teachers. Sir Humphry Davy said:
"Even in private life, too much prosperity either injures
the moral man, and occasions conduct which ends in suffering;
or it is accompanied by the workings of envy, calumny, and
malevolence of others."
Failure improves tempers and strengthens the nature. Even sorrow
is in some mysterious way linked with joy and associated with
tenderness. John Bunyan once said how, "if it were lawful, he
could even pray for greater trouble, for the greater comfort's
sake." When surprise was expressed at the patience of a poor
Arabian woman under heavy affliction, she said, "When we look on
God's face we do not feel His hand."
Suffering is doubtless as divinely appointed as joy, while it is
much more influential as a discipline of character. It chastens
and sweetens the nature, teaches patience and resignation, and
promotes the deepest as well as the most exalted thought. (12)
"The best of men
That e'er wore earth about Him was a sufferer;
A soft, meek, patient, humble, tranquil spirit
The first true gentleman that ever breathed.
Pages:
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473