glass looks clear; but set it on the fire, and the scum boils up. Just so,
sanctify, and sweeten every affliction. I had rather be in prison and have God's presence, than be in a palace without it.
We have the promise that he will not lay more upon us than he will enable us to bear. 1 Cor 10:13. He will not try us beyond our strength; either he will make the yoke lighter—or our faith stronger. Should not this make us submit our wills to his, when afflictions have so much kindness in them? In all our trials he has left us promises, which are like manna in the wilderness.
[4] It is great kindness that all troubles that befall us shall be for our profit. "God disciplines us for our profit." Heb 12:10.
What profit is in affliction?
Afflictions are disciplinary, they teach us. They are the school of the cross. Many psalms have the inscription, Maschil, a psalm giving instruction. Just so, affliction has the inscription Maschil upon it, an affliction giving instruction. "Pay attention to the rod and the One who ordained it." Micah 6:9. Luther says he could never rightly understand some of the psalms until he was in affliction. Gideon "took thorns from the wilderness, and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth." Judges 8:16. God by the thorns and briers of affliction teaches us.
1. Affliction shows us more of our own hearts. Water in a glass looks clear; but set it on the fire, and the scum boils up. Just so, when God sets us upon the fire, corruption boils up which we did not discern before. Sharp afflictions are to the soul as a soaking rain to the houses; we do not know that there are holes in the roof until the shower comes—but then we see it drop down here and there. Just so, we do not know what unmortified lusts are in the soul, until the storm of affliction comes; then we find unbelief, impatience, carnal