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Losses, adversities, afflictions, griefs!
Spurgeon, “The Superlative Excellence of the Holy Spirit”
The saints of God may very justly reckon
their losses among their greatest gains.
The adversities of believers minister much
to their prosperity.
Although we know this, yet through the infirmity of the flesh
we tremble at soul-enriching afflictions,
and dread to see those
black ships which bring us such freights of golden treasure.
When the Holy Spirit sanctifies the furnace, the flame refines
our gold and consumes our dross, yet the dull ore of our nature
likes not the glowing coals, and had rather lie quiet in the dark
mines of earth.
As silly children cry because they are called to drink the
medicine which will heal their sicknesses, even so do we.
Our gracious Savior, however, loves us too wisely to spare
us the trouble because of our childish fears; he foresees the
advantage which will spring from our griefs,
and therefore
thrusts us into them out of wisdom and true affection.
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