bad fortune is really just as good for you as good fortune is, in fact, it is better, because, he says, bad fortune teaches, while good fortune deceives. When

God's Spirit is most powerfully at work in us during emotional troughs, the "dry" times, not the "high" times. All the saints teach that. When the aid of feelings is removed, we can move forward only by heroic effort of our will. This

He is not the solution to our problems; He is the giver of our problems. Our problems are His tasks and our opportunities, His teaching and our education, His will and our sanctification.

There is a sermon in the fact that the gates are pearl. [Because] heaven is entered through suffering and travail, through redemption and blood, through the agony of the cross. A pearl is a jewel made by a little animal that is wounded. Without the wound, the pearl is never formed.

Should it be ours to drain the cup of grieving, even to the dregs of pain, at thy command, we will not falter, thankfully receiving all that is given by thy loving hand. While all the powers of Good aid and attend us, boldly we'll face the future, be what it may. At even, and at morn, God will befriend us, and oh, most surely on each new year's day!

James teaches us that we can be victors instead of victims, if we will mentally prepare ourselves by: 1. celebrating the reason behind our trials; 2. calculating the results of our trials; 3. calling on God's resources in our trials; 4. considering our reactions to our trials; 5. contemplating the reward of our trials.

Instead of getting what he wanted, he got what he needed—a deeper vision of God's grace and strength in his life.

Sometimes our biggest heartaches bring the most blessings.

The beauty is that through disappointment you can gain clarity, and with clarity comes conviction and true originality.

Disappointment leads to clarity, which leads to conviction and true originality.

Whatever in our life is hardest to bear, love can transform into beauty.

Thank you," Betsie went on serenely, "for the fleas and for-" The fleas! This was too much. "Betsie, there's no way even God can make me grateful for a flea." "Give thanks in all circumstances," she quoted. "It doesn't say, 'in pleasant circumstances.' Fleas are part of this place where God has put us." And so we stood between piers of bunks and gave thanks for fleas. But this time I was sure Betsie was wrong.