| Finding the Way |
Chapter 16 |
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The same is as true of events, of men’s actions, as it is of matter. God’s hand is in all things. Some one oppresses you, deals with you unjustly. God permits it, and this means that a good, a blessing, shall come out of the suffering. It may be a good for you. What you are called to endure may be designed to make you better, holier, richer in life and character, gentler spirited, more patient. It is well for us to think of this when a wrong has been done to us by another. We may leave to God the matter of the evil committed against us. It is against Him far more than against us, and He will judge in the matter. Our only concern should be to get the lesson or the good there is in it for us.
Or the suffering we have to endure may be for the sake of others. God permitted the terrible crime against His Son for the good of the world. Human redemption came out of it. When He permits us to suffer for righteousness’ sake, we are in a little measure sharing the sufferings of Christ, and out of it all will come something to make the world better. Saint Paul speaks of being crucified with Christ. When some one has treated us unkindly, wrongfully, it is a comfort to think that in a small way, at least, we are being crucified with Christ and that blessing and enriching will come to the world from our suffering.
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