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.

The calamities we experience here are only temporary phenomena. Each disaster reminds us that a disaster-free eternity

Like the many others who have suffered after him, Paul allowed his adversity to become a platform for the gospel. What the Enemy hoped would thwart the gospel actually advanced it. If for no other reason than this, we should think twice before we complain about our difficult situations. It just might be that God is up to something eternal!

Quite often the Lord uses the adversity in our lives as a lens through which He can be seen! In the process of it all, He is developing our character so that we can be worthy reflectors of His glory. Paul teaches us that character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trials and suffering can the soul be strengthened.

1. Adversity promotes the progress of the gospel. 2. Adversity provides opportunities to witness. 3. Adversity produces courage in our fellow believers. 4. Adversity proves the character of our friendships. 5. Adversity provokes growth in our lives. 6. Adversity purifies our motives. 7. Adversity prepares us to see life and death in perspective.

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.

The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest success only comes later.

Life in Ravensbruck took place on two separate levels, mutually impossible. One, the observable, external life, grew every day more horrible. The other, the life we lived with God, grew daily better, truth upon truth, glory upon glory.

When we've lost a friend, when a dream has failed, when we seem to have nothing left in the world to make life beautiful—that's when God says, You're richer than you think.

But I am in prison, dear lady from Haarlem, a prison stronger than this one.

My pastor used to say you're either coming out of a tough season, in the middle of a tough season, or heading into a tough season.

Sometimes life goes by in a trickle and sometimes life goes by in a flood. It's in those rainy seasons you find out how well you can swim.