Adversity
 

Christian character is developed only in the valleys.

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.

If life hands you a lemon, make lemonade!

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)

"I compare the adversities that we have to undergo in the course of the year to a great bundle of sticks, far too large for us to lift. But God does not require us to carry the whole at once. He mercifully unties the bundle, and gives us first one stick, which we are to carry today, and then another, which we are to carry tomorrow, and so on.

"This we might easily manage, if we would only take the burden appointed for us each day. But we choose to increase our troubles by carrying yesterday's stick over again today, and adding tomorrow's burden to our load, before we are required to bear it." (John Newton, author of Amazing Grace)

"Adversity reveals genius, prosperity conceals it." (Horace: 65-8 B.C.)

"No words can express how much the world owes to sorrow. Most of the Psalms were born in a wilderness. Most of the Epistles were written in a prison. The greatest thoughts of the greatest thinkers have all passed through fire. The greatest poets have "learned in suffering what they taught in song." In bonds Bunyan lived the allegory that he afterwards indited [wrote], and we may thank Bedford Jail for the Pilgrim's Progress. Take comfort, afflicted Christian! When God is about to make pre-eminent use of a person, He puts them in the fire." (George MacDonald)

"Great minds have purposes, others have wishes. Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune; but great minds rise above them." (Washington Irving)

"We have all of us sufficient fortitude to bear the misfortunes of others." (La Rochefoucauld)

"Life is a long lesson in humility." (James M. Barrie)

"The tests of life are to make, not break us. Trouble may demolish a person's business but build up their character. The blow at the outward person may be the greatest blessing to the inner person. If God, then, puts or permits anything hard in our lives, be sure that the real peril, the real trouble, is that we shall lose if we flinch or rebel." (M. D. Babcock)

The only good luck many successful people have is the ability and determination to overcome bad luck.

Life is strange—if you believe it's going to deal you nothing but adversity, it does.

"No affliction would trouble a child of God, if they knew God's reasons for sending it." (G. Campbell Morgan)

Adversity will develop a strong character or a weak coward—which one is up to you.

Sorrow

Go, bury thy sorrow,
     The world hath its share;
Go, bury it deeply,
     Go, hide it with care.

Go, bury thy sorrow,
     Let others be blest;
Go, give them the sunshine,
     And tell God the rest.
      (Author unknown)

"The Bible scholar only knows how dear these silent yet eloquent companions of pure thoughts and innocent hours become in the season of adversity. When all that is worldly turns to dross around us, these only retain their steady value. When friends grow cold, and the converse of intimates languishes into vapid civility and commonplace these only continue the unaltered countenance of happier days, and cheer us with that true friendship which never deceived hope nor deserted sorrow." (Washington Irving)

Looking back at life from the perspective of old age, I find to my amazement that I lived through all the adversities that I thought were going to kill me.

Home • God • The Holy Spirit • Christian Classics • Christian Living • Healings • Missing Children • Observations • Prayer • Preaching • Quotations • Revival • Sermons • Stories • Words of Living Water • Writing To Sell • Writings