Treasure in Trial

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Jms 1:2

From Sept 10 entry, Streams in the Desert, ed. Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
"There is Divine mystery in suffering, a strange and supernatural power in it which has never been fathomed by human reason. There never has been known great saintliness of soul which did not pass through great suffering. "
"When the suffering soul reaches a calm sweet carelessness, when it can inwardly smile at its own suffering, and does not even ask God to deliver it from suffering, then it has wrought its blessed ministry; then patience has its perfect work; then the crucifixion begins to weave itself into a crown.”

“It is in this state of the perfection of suffering that the Holy Spirit works many marvelous things in our souls. In such a condition, our whole being lies perfectly still under the hand of God; every faculty of heart and mind and will and heart are at last subdued; a quietness of eternity settles down into the whole being; the tongue grows still, and has but few words to say; it stops asking God questions; it stops crying, “Why have you forsaken me?” It has no choice in anything but the purpose of God."

Lord,
May you awaken me to the treasure in trial, that I may persevere in seeking your purposes in it and not waste effort trying to escape from it. ~Amen