Yet it is a profitable loss!

(Thomas Charles, "The Benefits of Affliction" 1838)

"God disciplines us for our profit, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:10-11

Inasmuch as God has assured us that He causes all things to work together for our good-patience and resignation to the divine will in all things, is our duty. In His good time He may allow us to see such wisdom and goodness in all of our circumstances, as to fill our hearts with transports of joy. To follow Him is our part-without murmuring or complaining.

Nothing befalls us without a cause-no trouble comes upon us sooner, or presses more heavily, or continues longer-than what God knows that our case requires. What our short-sighted ignorance calls adversities or evils-are in reality and truth, well-designed and gracious blessings, and form a part of the means employed by God's goodness and grace, to prepare us for the exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Away then with all impatience and all murmurings!

All our desire in this world, should be to live holily and live usefully-and affliction, by the blessing of God, has great influence in promoting both. Sanctified affliction greatly promotes holiness, and is also a great preparative for usefulness. It is working out at the same time a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory in the eternal world. God always chastens us, for our profit. Though we may thereby lose earthly comforts, ease and enjoyments-yet it is a profitable loss. What we lose in these things-we gain in holiness. It is for our profit, to become partakers of His holiness.

"We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose!" Romans 8:28