ADVERSITY

ADVERSITY -- “We live in adversity.  We die in comfort.”  (Chinese Proverb)  Adversity is God’s refining fire.  
Most of us seem to face three basic types of trials in our lives.  Some are brought on by mistakes or wrong choices willfully made.  Some are just part of everyday living, for which no one can be blamed.  Others seems to be placed in our path by divine direction.  The ‘assigned’ difficulties would seem to reflect, more than anything else, our unproved potential.  All the prophets have been sorely tested and tried before receiving their callings.  Even Jesus Christ was tempted and seriously tried before embarking on his earthly mission.  (Matt 4:1-11)

  

                                    PROMOTIONS

The mysteries here wrought by Holy Whim

surpass the understanding of the mind.

The wisdom of mankind is foolishness to Him;

as is His to us, till through our Faith defined.

He calls on many His great work to do;

the greater calling brings the greater test--

then, from the scores, selects a Chosen Few

to be Joint Heirs with Him among the Blest.

            Adversity is God’s refining fire.

Each person must be proven privately.

The tests reflect our unproved worth,

not Heaven’s ire;

and passed, they mark PROMOTIONS in Eternity!

                   (c) Robert Lynn Brown

            As Orson F. Whitney has said, it is by contrast that we learn to appreciate.  Just as the thorn and the rose spring from the same stem, so joy and sorrow blend in mortal life; the bitter and the sweet are both essential to complete the round of human exper-ience.  And, according to another Chinese proverb:  “True gold fears not the fire.”