The LORD May Bruise Us By Afflictions-- But It Is To Enrich Us.

GOD'S school for HIS children!

"Although HE was a SON, HE learned 
obedience from the things which HE 
suffered." Hebrews 5:8


"Our SAVIOR learned obedience 

by the things which HE suffered--

and so must we. Affliction, if patiently 

endured, and sanctified to us--

is a great purifier of our corrupted 

natures. It will teach us excellent things." 

(George Whitefield)


"Christian experience is only 

earned in the school of affliction." 

(George Whitefield)

"GOD loves HIS own children too 

well to exempt them from affliction. 

It is a blessed thing when our trials 

cure our earnest love for perishable 

worldly things." (William S. Plumer)


"Affliction is the school in which great 

virtues are acquired, in which holy 

characters are formed." (Hannah More)


"Afflictions are sent for this end, 

to bring us to the throne of grace, 

to teach us to pray, and to make 

the Word of GOD'S grace precious 

to us. It has always been to 

the advantage of GOD'S people 

to be afflicted. Many are taught 

with the briars and thorns 

of affliction, who would not learn 

otherwise." (Matthew Henry)

"No man, without trials and temptations, 

can attain a true understanding of 

the Holy Scriptures. I never knew 

the meaning of GOD'S Word, until 

I came into affliction. I have always 

found it one of my best school-masters." 

(Martin Luther)


"If this experimental acquaintance with 

the Bible is the result of affliction--

then welcome the discipline whose 

rod of correction blossoms into such 

golden fruit! 

Let GOD'S dealings with us be ever 

so dark, painful, and afflicting--

it is utterly impossible that anything 

can be against the best interests 

of a believer in CHRIST." (Octavius Winslow)

"Affliction is GOD'S flail to thresh 

off our husks!" (Thomas Watson)


"Let any Christian view his own life, 

and see how nearly his whole spiritual 

progress has been made in the seasons 

of trial. It is by their private afflictions 

chiefly that individuals grow in grace."

 (R.L. Dabney)


"I bear my willing testimony 

to the blessing that affliction 

and trial have been to me. 

I owe more to GOD'S furnace 

and the file, than I can ever 

describe!" (C.H. Spurgeon)


"There are no lessons so useful 

as those learned in the school 

of affliction." (J.C. Ryle)

"We know that GOD causes all things 
to work together for good to those 
who love HIM!"  (Romans 8:28) 

"Learn how little cause we have then 

to be discontented at outward trials 

and afflictions! What! 

Shall we be discontented at that 

which works for our good? If one friend 

should throw a bag of money at another, 

and in throwing it, should graze his head, 

he would not be troubled much, seeing by 

this means he had got a bag of money. 

So the LORD may bruise us by afflictions--

but it is to enrich us. These afflictions 

work for us an exceeding weight of glory--

and shall we be discontented?" (Thomas Watson)

"We are only scholars. It rests with 

the Great Teacher to decide which 

lesson shall come next--

a hard one or an easy one." (William Ward)

"GOD disciplines us for our good, 
that we may share in HIS holiness!" 
Hebrews 12:10

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GraceGems has published J.R. Miller's uplifting 2 page article, 
"The Ministry of Encouragement".