“God never places us in any position in which we cannot grow. We may imagine that He does. We may fear we are so impeded by fretting petty cares that we are gaining nothing; but when we are not sending any branches upward, we may be sending roots downward. Perhaps in the time of our humiliation, when everything seems a failure, we are making the best kind of progress. Look on and look up. Lay hold on Christ with both your poor, empty hands. Let Him do with you what seems good to Him. Though He slay you, still trust in Him, and I dare in His name to promise you a sweeter, better life than you could have ever known, had He left you to drink of the full dangerous cups of unmingled prosperity.”
– Elizabeth Prentiss
HT: Grace Gems
As I climb this branch, I glance down.
My feet feel like cement blocks.
I think it may be easier to stay.
but He gives me strength.
Slowly but surely I start putting one foot in front of the other.
I keep looking up, keep going on.
thanks for posting those beautiful words.
Couldn’t come at a better time. This past week has been extremely tough.
Growing and trusting. I have done it MY way for so many years and it has never gotten me anywhere good. Let me accept the situation I am in and trust it’s for the better.
love you lots
Oh, Melissa,
Your broken heart is proof that you are a daughter of God. Even though our present afflictions feel unbearable now, we have the promise that they will yield the fruit of righteousness. Hebrews 12:11 says, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Listen to Matthew Henry’s commentary:
“But the Father of our souls never willingly grieves nor afflicts his children. It is always for our profit. Our whole life here is a state of childhood, and imperfect as to spiritual things; therefore we must submit to the discipline of such a state. When we come to a perfect state, we shall be fully reconciled to all God’s chastisement of us now. God’s correction is not condemnation; the chastening may be borne with patience, and greatly promote holiness. Let us then learn to consider the afflictions brought on us by the malice of men, as corrections sent by our wise and gracious Father, for our spiritual good.”
You are growing in grace and knowledge and I am honored to be your friend & sister in the Lord!
“I dare in His name to promise you a sweeter, better life than you could have ever known, had He left you to drink of the full dangerous cups of unmingled prosperity.”
What precious words these are!! Yes, humiliating ourselves because of our miserable failures is one of if not the best thing that can happen to us.
There is something so freeing about knowing we are nothing, have nothing and will always be nothing apart from the outpouring of God’s wonderful grace and mercy towards us!
“that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,” (The Valley of Vision)
Regarding riches and prosperity this also reminds me of one of my favorite verses:
“Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with the food that is my portion,
That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the LORD?”
Or that I not be in want and steal,
And profane the name of my God.” Proverbs 30:8-9
I always love your posts Christina! Thank you very much!