“We are not bearing our crosses every time we have a headache; an aspirin tablet will take care of that. What is meant is the trouble we would not have if we were not Christians.”

Vance Hanver

“At the timberline where the storms strike with the most fury, the sturdiest trees are found.”

Hudson Taylor

When days of darkness come upon us, let us not count it a strange thing. Rather let us remember that lessons are learned on such days which would never have been learned in sunshine. Let us say to ourselves, “This also is for my profit, that I may be a partaker of God’s holiness…”

J.C. Ryle

“So long as we are occupied with any other object than God Himself, there will be neither rest for the heart nor peace for the mind. But when we receive all that enters our lives as from His hand, then, no matter what may be our circumstances or surroundings–whether in a hovel or prison-dungeon, or at a martyr’s stake–we shall be enabled to say, ‘The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places'” (Psalms. 16:6).

A.W. Pink

Even in the greatest afflictions, we ought to testify to God, that, in receiving them from his hand, we feel pleasure in the midst of the pain, from being afflicted by Him who loves us, and whom we love.

John Wesley

God has no pleasure in afflicting us, but He will not keep back even the most painful chastisement if He can but thereby guide His beloved child to come home and abide in the beloved Son.

Andrew Murray

“We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us. We are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”

C. S. Lewis