Sponsors dropped him, his wife left him, and his golf skills suffered greatly.

It is confidence in the invariably overriding intention of God for our good, with respect to all the evil and suffering that may befall us on life's journey, that secures us in peace and joy.

Life in general can carry on within limits even though some of its specific needs are not adequately met. A plant or animal without the appropriate food, light, or space may lead a weakened and deformed existence, but one that is still a life. Human life is not what it could be, though it is still here, still going on. But the question is, what is human life being cut off from to leave it in such a sad and depleted condition?

"Happiness is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it."

I am fallen, flawed and imperfect. Yet drenched in the grace and mercy. That is found in Jesus Christ, there is strength. God's mercy and grace give me hope, for myself, and for our world.

May our adversities make us strong. May our victories make us wise. May our actions make us proud.

The perfection of Christian character depends wholly upon the grace and strength found alone in God.

What can't be helped must be endured.

She was going about her life, taking her pleasures as she found them, suffering what was hers to suffer, doing what she had to do. She had about her no air of self-pity or complaint. And this could only have been because, in her own heart, she was not pitying herself or complaining.

But there, in her diminishment, she seemed to resemble only herself, as if suffering finally had singled her out.

Dear God, let me be damned a little longer, a little while.

You men,' she says. 'You durn men.