“A thousand sorrows teaches a man to preach.” (John Piper) Many, including Martin Luther and the Psalmist himself, teach us that sorrows, difficulties, suffering, and trials teach us, often more than anything else. The Psalmist wrote,
Psa. 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.
68 You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.
Psa. 119:71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.
One of our great saints who suffered greatly, William Cowper, also composed wonderful poetry and songs in his suffering. One verse of his communicates the truth of this quote above: “Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust him for his grace; behind a frowning providence, he hides a smiling face.”
God is magnified greatly in our own minds, and before others, in and through our sufferings. Don’t trust your feeble sense, rather trust God to show himself faithfulness to you.
I Commend Joy! 