Outward attacks and troubles rather fix than unsettle the Christian, as tempests from without only serve to root the oak faster; while an inward canker will gradually rot and decay it.
—Hannah More
There are many trials in life which do not seem to come from unwisdom or folly; they are silver arrows shot from the bow of God, and fixed inextricably in the quivering heart.—They are to be borne.—They were not meant, like snow or water, to melt as soon as they strike; but the moment an ill can be patiently borne it is disarmed of its poison, though not of its pain.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
If all difficulties were known at the outset of a long journey, most of us would never start out at all.
—Dan Rather (b.1931) American Newscaster, Author
Trial: A formal inquiry designed to prove and put upon record the blameless characters of judges, advocates and jurors.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
The best people need afflictions for trial of their virtue. How can we exercise the grace of contentment, if all things succeed well; or that of forgiveness, if we have no enemies?
—John Tillotson
There’s nothing written in the Bible, Old or New testament, that says, “If you believe in Me, you ain’t going to have no troubles.”
—Ray Charles (1930–2004) American Singer, Songwriter, Musician
For thou, O God, hast proved us; thou has tried us, as silver is tried.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
There is a sanctity in suffering when meekly born. Our duty, though set about by thorns, may still be made a staff, supporting even while it tortures. Cast it away, and, like the prophet’s rod, it changes to a snake.
—Douglas William Jerrold (1803–57) English Writer, Dramatist, Wit
Blessed be the discipline that makes me reach out to a closer union with Jesus!—Blessed be the dews of the spirit that keep my leaf ever green!—Blessed be the trials which shake down the ripe golden fruits from the branches.
—Theodore L. Cuyler (1822–1909) American Presbyterian Clergyman, Writer
The brightest crowns that are worn in heaven have been tried, and smelted, and polished, and glorified through the furnaces of tribulation.
—Edwin Hubbell Chapin (1814–80) American Preacher, Poet
The hardest trial of the heart is, whether it can bear a rival’s failure without triumph.
—John Aikin (1747–1822) British Doctor, Writer
Trials are medicine which our gracious and wise physician prescribes, because we need them and he proportions the frequency and weight of them to what the case requires, let us trust in his skill and thank him for his prescription.
—John Newton (1725–1807) English Clergyman, Writer
I have always believed that God never gives a cross to bear larger than we can carry. No matter what, he wants us to be happy, not sad. Birds sing after a storm. Why shouldn’t we?
—Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy (1890–1995) American Socialite, Philanthropist
Under the shadow of earthly disappointment, all unconsciously to ourselves, our Divine Redeemer is walking by our side.
—Edwin Hubbell Chapin (1814–80) American Preacher, Poet
It is trial that proves one thing weak and another strong.—A house built on the sand is in fair weather just as good as if builded on a rock.—A cobweb is as good as the mightiest cable when there is no strain upon it.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer; preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
There are no crown-wearers in heaven that were not cross-bearers here below.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) English Baptist Preacher
It always looks darkest just before it gets totally black.
—Charles M. Schulz (1922–2000) American Cartoonist, Writer, Artist
I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Appeal: In law, to put the dice into the box for another throw.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
Affliction is not sent in vain from the good God who chastens those that he loves.
—Robert South (1634–1716) English Theologian, Preacher
As sure as ever God puts his children in the furnace, he will be in the furnace with them.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) English Baptist Preacher
Nothing can render affliction so insupportable as the load of sin. Would you then be fitted for afflictions? Be sure to get the burden of your sins laid aside, and then what affliction soever you may meet with will be very easy to you.
—John Bunyan (1628–88) English Puritan Writer, Preacher
We are always in the forge, or on the anvil by trials God is shaping us for higher things.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
If you see ten troubles coming down the road, you can be sure that nine will run into the ditch before they reach you and you have to battle with only one of them.
—Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933) American Head of State, Lawyer
The Lord gets his best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) English Baptist Preacher
Iron till it be thoroughly heated is incapable to be wrought; so God sees good to cast some men into the furnace of affliction, and then beats them on his anvil into what frame he pleases.
—Anne Bradstreet (1612–72) American Poet
It was a beautiful and striking reply, given by one in affliction, who, when asked how it was that he bore it so well, replied,—“It lightens the stroke, I find, to draw near to Him who handles the rod.”
—Tryon Edwards (1809–94) American Theologian, Author
A truly virtuous person is like good metal,—the more he is fired, the more he is fined; the more he is opposed, the more he is approved. Wrongs may well try him and touch him, but they cannot imprint on him any false stamp.
—Cardinal Richelieu (1585–1642) French Cardinal, Statemesan
Every man will have his own criterion in forming his judgment of others. I depend very much on the effect of affliction. I consider how a man comes out of the furnace; gold will lie for a month in the furnace without losing a grain.
—Richard Cecil
Leave a Reply