Monday, January 15, 2018

Adversity

From Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ:
1. Troubles and crosses?
They're good:
they often make us examine ourselves,
they remind us we live in exile here,
they keep us from trusting the world.
    When we're crossed?
Good too, even when we intend the best.
These adversities
nudge us to humility,
defend us against pride,
push us toward God for inward approval when we put up with condemnation and don't get deserved credit.

2. Settle yourself so fully in God that you don't need much comfort from people.
Troubled by evil thoughts?
Now you understand better your great need of God, without whom you can do nothing good.
Now you sorrow, grieve, and pray; now life drags, death looks inviting, and you wish you could live in heaven with Christ.
Now you know perfect security and full peace cannot come from the world.
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, Baker, 1982, p 27.

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