March 28

Pain reveals our nothingness

“It is good for me that I have been afflicted” (Psa. 119:71).
“I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction” (Isa. 48:10).

In casting up the incidental blessings of the year, I found none to compare to my illness; it gave such a life, such a reality and nearness, to my prospect of futurity; it told me in language so conclusive and intelligible, that here is no abiding city.
—Sir Thomas F. Buxton.

Pain teaches us our nothingness. Health permits us to swell in self-esteem and gather much which is unreal; sickness makes our feebleness conspicuous, and at the same time breaks up many of our shams. We need solid grace when we are thrown into the furnace of affliction; gilt and tinsel shrivel up in the fire. The patience in which we somewhat pride ourselves, where is it when sharp pangs succeed each other like poisoned arrows setting the blood on flame? The joyful faith which could do all things, and bear all sufferings, is it always at hand when the time of trial has arrived? The peace which stood aloft on the mountain’s summit and serenely smiled on storms beneath, does it hold its ground quite so easily as we thought it would when at our ease we prophesied our behavior in the day of battle?

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