Misery

"Thank God for your misery. It prepares you to be a vessel for His use, for His strength—not yours—to flow through.. It doesn't seem to make sense. In your weakness is your strength. In your misery is your hope. In your death is your life. In your nothing is His everything. It's amazing how God works. Out of the dung heap grows a rose. Out of misery grows a mighty man of God. Thank God for your misery. Thank God for your pain. Don't attribute it to the devil. If you do, paraphrase Joseph: 'The devil meant it for evil, but God turns his tricks on him and works it for good.'”— The Rest of the Gospel: When the partial Gospel has worn you out, page 224

<idle musing>
Not an easy sell, is it? But, it is the truth, just not a welcome or comfortable one. I guess that is why it isn't often heard or preached, but, as Bonhoeffer said, when God calls someone, he bids him come and die...
</idle musing>