All things, the bitter and the sweet

(Thomas Moor, "Counsels and Thoughts for the Spiritual Life of Believers" 1881)

"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

Infinite wisdom, as well as infinite love, guides the Lord Jesus in all His doings. Thus it is He sees it best for His own glory and our good, that His doings should at times be contrary to our own desires for ourselves. All things, the bitter and the sweet, are from the hands of Him who makes all work together for our good.

All the trials and afflictions the believer meets with in this life, are for the promotion of . . .
  our growth in grace,
  the true knowledge of self,
  love to Christ, and
  faith in our covenant God and Father.

Christ's rough-hewn diamonds are precious to Him, but it is His polished ones that shine the brightest, and most reflect His holy image, and have the most conspicuous place among His jewels. Though the process of polishing is often painful to the flesh and trying to the spirit-yet the result is worth it all, for that result is "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory!"