What They Said

“The teaching is clear and positive.  Painful in the human experience, as it must always be in its outcome, chastening works good.  We do not know what we owe to suffering.  Many of the richest blessings which have come down to us from the past are the fruits of sorrow or pain.  Others sowed in tears, and we gather the harvest. We should never forget that redemption, the world's greatest blessing, is the fruit of world's greatest sorrow.  In our own personal life it is true that in all chastening our Father's design is our pro fit, and that suffering rightly endured yields the fruits of righteousness.”

J.R. Miller

“Are you a distressed believer? Is your heart . . .
  pressed down with sickness,
  tried with disappointments,
  overburdened with cares? 

To you I say, "Behold the cross of Christ!" Think whose hand it is that chastens you; think whose hand is measuring to you the 'cup of bitterness' which you are now drinking. It is the hand of Him who was crucified! It is the same hand which, in love to your soul, was nailed to the accursed tree! Surely that thought should comfort and hearten you. Surely you should say to yourself, "My crucified Savior will never lay upon me anything that is not for my good. There is a needs be. It must be well."

J.C. Ryle

“Suffering brings discouragements, because of our impatience. 'Alas!' We lament, 'I shall never get through such a trial.' But if God brings us into the trial he will be with us in the trial and at length bring us out, more refined. We shall lose nothing but dross (Zechariah 13:9). From our own strength we cannot bear the least trouble, but by the Spirit's assistance we can bear the greatest.”

Richard Sibbes