Trials
by Ellen White
Every
heart will be tested, every character developed. It is principle that God's
people must act upon. The living principle must be carried out in the life. 1T
222
We
are too quickly discouraged, and earnestly cry for the trial to be removed from
us, when we should plead for patience to endure and grace to overcome. 1T 310
Our
heavenly Father measures and weighs every trial before He permits it to come
upon the believer. He considers the circumstances and the strength of the one
who is to stand under the proving and test of God, and He never permits the
temptations to be greater than the capacity of resistance. If the soul is
overborne, the person overpowered, this can never be charged to God, as failing
to give strength in grace, but the one tempted was not vigilant and prayerful
and did not appropriate by faith the provisions God had abundantly in store for
him. Christ never failed a believer in his hour of combat. The believer must
claim the promise and meet the foe in the name of the Lord, and he will not
know anything like failure.--MS 6, 1889. 2MCP 473
It
is obstacles that make men strong. It is . . . difficulties, conflicts,
rebuffs, that make men of moral sinew. Too much ease and avoiding
responsibility have made weaklings and dwarfs of those who ought to be
responsible men of moral power and strong spiritual muscle. 3T 495
Fearful
tests and trials await the people of God. The spirit of war is stirring the
nations from one end of the earth to the other. 9T 17
Those
who at Pentecost were endued with power from on high, were not thereby freed
from further temptation and trial.... They were repeatedly assailed by the
enemy of all truth, who sought to rob them of their Christian experience. They
were compelled to strive with all their God-given powers to reach the measure
of the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. Daily they prayed for fresh
supplies of grace, that they might reach higher and still higher toward
perfection. Under the Holy spirit's working, even the weakest, by exercising
faith in God, learned to improve their entrusted powers and to become
sanctified, refined, and ennobled. AA 49
Yet
we should not lose courage when assailed by temptation. Often when placed in a
trying situation we doubt that the Spirit of God has been leading us. But it
was the Spirit's leading that brought Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted
by Satan. When God brings us into trial, He has a purpose to accomplish for our
good. DA 126
"Blessed
are the meek." The difficulties we have to encounter may be very much
lessened by that meekness which hides itself in Christ. If we possess the
humility of our Master, we shall rise above the slights, the rebuffs, the
annoyances to which we are daily exposed, and they will cease to cast a gloom
over the spirit. The highest evidence of nobility in a Christian is
self-control. He who under abuse or cruelty fails to maintain a calm and
trustful spirit, robs God of His right to reveal in him His own perfection of
character. Lowliness of heart is the strength that gives victory to the
followers of Christ; it is the token of their connection with the courts above.
DA 301
Through
all our trials we have a never-failing Helper. He does not leave us alone to
struggle with temptation, to battle with evil, and be finally crushed with
burdens and sorrow. Though now He is hidden from mortal sight, the ear of faith
can hear His voice saying, Fear not; I am with you. "I am He that liveth,
and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore." Rev.1:18. DA 483
The
omnipotent power of the Holy Spirit is the defence of every contrite soul. Not
one that in penitence and faith has claimed His protection will Christ permit
to pass under the enemy's power. The Saviour is by the side of His tempted and
tried ones. With Him there can be no such thing as failure, loss,
impossibility, or defeat; we can do all things through Him who strengthens us.
When temptations and trials come, do not wait to adjust all the difficulties,
but look to Jesus, your helper. DA 490
Poverty
is coming upon this world, and there will be a time of trouble such as never
was since there was a nation. There will be wars and rumours of wars, and the
faces of men will gather paleness. You may have to suffer distress; you may go
hungry sometimes; but God will not forsake you in your suffering. He will test
your faith. We are not to live to please ourselves. We are here to manifest
Christ to the world, to represent Him and His power to mankind.-- Manuscript
37, 1894. EV 240
The
followers of Christ know little of the plots which Satan and his hosts are
forming against them. But He who sitteth in the heavens will overrule all these
devices for the accomplishment of His deep designs. The Lord permits His people
to be subjected to the fiery ordeal of temptation, not because He takes
pleasure in their distress and affliction, but because this process is
essential to their final victory. He could not, consistently with His own
glory, shield them from temptation; for the very object of the trial is to
prepare them to resist all the allurements of evil. GC 528
The
more you talk faith, the more faith you will have. The more you dwell upon
discouragement, talking to others about your trials and enlarging upon them, to
enlist the sympathy which you crave, the more discouragements and trials you
will have. Why mourn over that which you cannot avoid?. . . HP 247
Satan
brings all his powers to the assault in the last close conflict, and the
endurance of the follower of Christ is taxed to the utmost. At times it seems
that he must yield. But a word of prayer to the Lord Jesus goes like an arrow
to the throne of God, and angels of God are sent to the field of battle...The
tide is turned. The wondrous light that shines in the face of Jesus Christ has
stopped the mouth of the cavilling opponents. HP 297 (MS 53 1905)
Troubles
may invade, but these are the lot of humanity. Let patience, gratitude, and
love keep sunshine in the heart though the day may be ever so cloudy. MH 393
Instead
of thinking of your discouragements, think of the power you can claim in
Christ's name. . . let your thoughts be directed to the evidences of the great
love of God for you. Faith can endure trail, resist temptation, bear up under
disappointment. Jesus lives as our advocate. All is ours that His mediation
secures. . . All experiences and circumstances are God's workmen whereby good
is brought to us. MH 488
They
had made the outward forms all-important, while they had lost the spirit of
true worship. Their services were corrupted with the traditions and practises
of heathenism; and in the performance of the sacrificial rites they did not
look beyond the shadow to the substance. They did not discern Christ, the true
offering for the sins of men. The Lord wrought to bring the people into
captivity, and to suspend the services in the temple, in order that the outward
ceremonies might not become the sum total of their religion. Their principles
and practise must be purged from heathenism. The ritual service ceased, in
order that the heart might be revived. The outward glory was removed, that the
spiritual might be revealed. PH048 42
Every
institution will have to battle with difficulty. Trials are permitted in order
to test the hearts of God's people. When adversity befalls one of the Lord's
instrumentalities, it will be shown how much real faith we have in God and in
His work. At such a time let none view matters in the worst light and give
expression to doubt and unbelief. Do not criticise those who carry the burdens
of responsibility. Let not the conversation in your homes be poisoned with
criticism of the Lord's workers. Parents who indulge this criticising spirit
are not bringing before their children that which will make them wise unto
salvation. Their words tend to unsettle the faith and confidence not only on
the children, but of those older in years. All have little enough of respect
and reverence for sacred things. Satan will unite most zealously with the
criticiser in fostering unbelief, envy, jealousy, and disrespect. Satan is
always at work to imbue men with his spirit, to quench the love which should be
sacredly cherished between brethren, to discourage confidence, to excite envy,
evil surmisings, and the strife of tongues. Let us not be found acting as his
co-workers. One heart open to his suggestions may sow many seeds of
disaffection. Thus may be wrought a work whose results in the ruin of souls
will never be fully manifest until the great day of final judgement. PM 115
The
children of God may rejoice in all things and at all times. When troubles and
difficulties come, believing in the providence of God, you may rejoice. You
need not wait for a happy flight of feeling, but by faith you may lay hold of
the promises and lift up a hymn of thanksgiving to God. . . RH FEB.11,1890 (HP
123)
Self-denial,
self-sacrifice, benevolence, kindness, love, patience, fortitude, and Christian
trust are the daily fruits borne by those who are truly connected with God.
Their acts may not be published to the world, but they themselves are daily
wrestling with evil, and gaining precious victories over temptation and wrong.
Solemn vows are renewed and kept through the strength gained by earnest prayer
and constant watching thereunto. The ardent enthusiast does not discern the
struggles of these silent workers; but the eye of Him who seeth the secrets of
the heart, notices and regards with approval every effort put forth in
lowliness and meekness. It requires the testing time to reveal the true gold of
love and faith in the character. When trials and perplexities come upon the
church, then the steadfast zeal and warm affections of the Christian are
developed. RH JAN.18,1881
From
the light which God has given me, I know that the Lord would do far more for us
as a people if we would walk in humility before him. Every one of God's people
will be tested and proved, and we want you to be in a position where you will
bear the proving of God, and not be found wanting when your moral worth is
weighed in the balances of the sanctuary. We want you to be constantly moving
onward and upward; but that which hinders your progress in a large degree is
your self-esteem, the high opinion that you entertain of your own ability. If
there was ever a place where self needed to die, it is here. Let us see the
death struggle. Let us hear the dying groans. Self-exaltation ever separates
the soul from God, no matter in whom it is found, whether in those in
responsible positions or in those who are in some less important place.
Whatever has been done to attract the attention to self, has detracted from the
glory that should have been rendered to God, and has brought leanness to your
souls. It is through this avenue of self-esteem and self-sufficiency that Satan
will seek to ensnare the people of God. RH JUN.18,1889
Many
times his [Gods] way of dealing is so contrary to our plans and expectations
that we are amazed and confounded. We do not understand our perverse natures;
and often when we are gratifying self, following our own inclinations, we
flatter ourselves that we are carrying out the mind of God....
Some
seek to control their surroundings, thinking that if they are placed in
favourable positions, the bad traits in their character will not be developed.
But God orders our surroundings, and he will place us where we shall have test
after test, to prove us and to reveal what is in our hearts. RH JUN.6,1884
The
obstacles, provocations, and hardships that we meet, may prove to us, not a
curse, but the greatest blessing of our lives; for the grandest characters are
built amid hardships and trials. But they must be received as practical lessons
in the school of Christ. Every temptation resisted, every trial bravely borne,
gives us a new experience, and advances us in the work of character-building.
We have a better knowledge of the working of Satan, and of our own power to defeat
him through divine grace.... It is our privilege to walk in the sunshine of his
presence, and weave into the characters we are forming the golden threads of
cheerfulness, gratitude, forbearance, and love. We may thus show the power of
divine grace, and reflect light from Heaven amid all the frets and irritations
that come to day by day....
[568A.0]
He is waiting to be gracious. [Rev. 3:20 quoted.] And then comes the gracious
assurance: `To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my
throne....' RH NOV.24,1885
Comfort,
encouragement, and support have been provided for every condition of life. Let
us rejoice in the love of God. Let us praise Him who has made promises so
royal. Let these promises keep our hearts in perfect peace. Jesus lives. His hand
is guiding us. Constantly our hearts may be filled with the peace that passeth
all understanding, even the peace that Jesus gives: Let us make the promises of
God's Word our own. In times of test and trial these promises will be to us
glad springs of heavenly comfort. ST AUG.22,1906
But
the man upon whom the miracle was wrought was not to be intimidated by their
scorn, and said: "Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from
whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth
not sinners; but if any man be a worshiper of God, and doeth his will, him he
heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of
one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he could do
nothing." The indignation of the scribes and Pharisees knew no bounds.
Gathering their robes about them, as though they feared contamination, shaking
the dust from their feet against him, and treating him with the utmost contempt
and derision, they said, "Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou
teach us?" And in no gentle manner they thrust him out of the synagogue.
The sheep was cast out of the fold for being a living witness to the power of
Christ. Many have been cast out of the church whose names were registered upon
the book of life. Wolves in sheep's clothing were ready to cast out of the fold
and devour one who was entitled to the Lord's pasture; but Jesus, the True
Shepherd, sought him, and gave him a place within the fold. ST DEC.04,1893
It
is no sign that Jesus has ceased to love us because we experience doubts and
discouragements. Affliction comes to us in the providence of God in order that
we may see that Christ is our helper, that in him is love and consolation. We
may receive grace whereby we may be overcomers, and inherit the life that
measures with the life of God. We must have an experience so that when
affliction comes upon us, we shall not depart from our faith and choose fables.
ST MAY 07,1896
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