| Things to Live For |
Chapter 11 |
Page 7 |
If we are Christian, there never can be a sufficient reason why we should be discouraged. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” We need only to abide in Christ, doing always our simple duty, and leaving all in his hands.
There is no doubt that every hard thing that God permits to come into our life has a blessing wrapped up in it. The things which appear before us as discouragements prove to be helps toward nobler attainments. A Christian physician, whose career has been full of faith and noble ministry, gives this experience: He was a poor boy, and a cripple. One day he was watching some other boys on the ball field. They were active, strong, and wealthy. As he looked on, his heart grew bitter with envy. A young man who stood beside him noted the discontent on his face, and said to him, “You wish you were in those boys’ place, don’t you?” – “Yes, I do,” was the answer. “I reckon God gave them money, education, and health,” continued the young man, “to help them to be of some account in the world. Did it never strike you,” he continued, after a moment’s pause, “that he gave you your lame leg for the same reason, – to make a man of you?”
The boy gave no answer, and turned away. He was angry, but he did not forget the words. His crippled leg God’s gift! To teach him patience, courage, perseverance! To make a man of him! He thought of the words till he saw their meaning. They kindled hope and cheer, and he determined to conquer his hindrance. He grew heroic. He soon learned that what was true of his lame leg was true also of all the difficulties, hindrances, and hard conditions of his life, – they were all God’s gifts to him to help him to be of some account in the world, – to make a man of him.
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