Sweet are the uses of adversity,Which like the toad, ugly and venomous,Wears yet a precious jewel in his head.Shak.As you like it. Concerning deliverance itself from all adversity

Pleasure is never as pleasant as we expected it to be and pain is always more painful. The pain in the world always outweighs the pleasure. If you don't believe it, compare the respective feelings of two animals, one of which is eating the other.

He that is down need fear no fall.

Temptations, when we first meet them, are like a lion that roared at Samson; but if we overcome them, the next time we see them we shall find a nest of honey within them.

Affliction is a treasure, and scarce any man hath enough of it.

At one level, the message of the book of Ruth is that the life of the godly is not a straight line to glory, but they do get there.

Why is this happening to me? Why am I having such a difficult time? One answer is that life is supposed to be difficult! It's what enables us to grow. Remember, earth is not heaven!

Why must all of the operations in life be performed without an anesthetic?

Life is a test and this world a place of trial.

Notice how those who have medicated away their hardships with illegal drugs, alcohol, or sex can seem immature. They may look forty-five, but they have the character of an adolescent. Find a person who has weathered storms rather than avoided them and you will find someone who is wise.

Difficulties are things that show a person what they are.

They've all been through bad things. So bad things happen to people. They happen to all the great men of God.