How much of adversity do we need in order to bring down the lofty thoughts within us! A knowledge of our own weakness is generally learnt through humiliation and suffering. Those trials which put our wisdom to confusion, thwart our pride, and starve the lusts of the flesh, best fit and enable us to trust the living God. Let us, then, not suffer such trials to pass without making right use of them, giving thanks to God for them all. He is most likely to fall into temptation and sin who most slights a warning. He who most truly depends upon the Lord for succour in the time of temptation, will be the most thankful for counsel or reproof. When a trial comes upon me, let me look upon it as sent for a peculiar blessing. If I receive it thus, I shall not consider "how heavy it is!" nor ask "when will it be removed?" but "how much advantage shall I gain through it? and how shall I turn it to the best account?" Often when saints, by right steps, bring afflictions upon them, they are _tempted_ to think their course wrong; but faith seizes the opportunity of glorifying God. Thus the _apparent_ loss becomes great gain. (Esth. 4:13-16.) How much will our trials weigh when this mortal shall have put on immortality, and we shall appear with Christ in glory? (2 Cor. 4:17.18.) The troubles of the way do us good service, if they raise the eyes of our mind to look at things unseen and eternal. Present faith, not past experience or comfort, keeps us from fainting in the hour of trial. Which of us can be kept near to Christ without some thorn in the flesh? Faith, patience, and prayer, can overcome all difficulties. Affliction coming upon God's people is no proof that they are displeasing Him. Is God with them or not? is the test. Jeremiah was cast into the dungeon, and sank in the mire; but God was with him. (Jer. 38.) So was it with Joseph. (Gen. 39:21.) We can never walk with steady step in the time of trial of our faith, save as we are looking onward to the resurrection of the just. In 1 Cor. 15:58, the apostle, in view of it says, "Be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." Difficulties and ill success encourage me; for "the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." Do we meet with unkindness from brethren? Instead of shooting our bitter words at them, let us _judge ourselves_; and endeavour, in love and wisdom, to overcome evil with good. Is the child of God overwhelmed by the trials of the way, and ready to turn his back in the day of battle, because of the rage of hellish powers? Let me remind him that Samson first slew the lion, and afterwards out of the same lion got honey and to spare.