Why are Christians, good Christians, who have been Christians for years, very sad and cast down when trouble comes upon them? Do they not know that God sends it, and that He will not try them more than they are able to bear?

To give a diagnosis that would cover every case is not possible, but I offer a few suggestions. It may be that a sad and downcast frame of mind in the Christian, when he is faced with trouble, is simply the evidence of a very feeble faith. The trouble has come and found him out. He has had a false view of what the favor of God really is. As long as things were bright all was well; when they went against him doubt flooded his soul. I knew a man who when he had a good day in business, sang most heartily

"How good is the God we adore,"

but when things did not prosper he was dumb. It ought not so to be, for God is greater than every trouble; He is a refuge in every time of trouble, and the heart that knows Him will not grumble and murmur when trouble comes. For God's own glory and their testimony Christians should guard against that. The remedy is a fuller knowledge of God-of His wisdom, care and love.

It may be that the sadness is the proper feeling induced by coming under the chastening hand of God, for "No chastening for the present seemeth joyous but grievous" (Heb. 12:11). If God our Father sees it fit to chasten one of His children-and chastening is one of the great proofs of His love-He intends it to have a subduing and humbling effect. In this case, however, where there is true confidence in God, there will be an under-current of spiritual rest and even joy. I remember being greatly helped by a suffering Christian. She said to me, "I think I must be one of the Lord's favorites." "What makes you say that?" I asked, "Because I get so much chastening," was her answer, and it made me think deeply. We may be "in heaviness through manifold temptations," and at the same time "rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory," as Peter tells us. Every thing depends on our nearness to the Lord and our confidence in Him. The branches of the vine must be pruned and purged, often a painful process, but the branch is never nearer to the great Husbandman, and never an object of greater interest to Him than when it is in His skillful hands for pruning purposes. Wherefore, no Christian needs to droop with sadness, there is always the "afterwards" – the wonderful and eternal fruit.

Christians also may be beset with trouble because of their devotion to the Lord. The apostle Paul was an example of this; he was troubled, perplexed, persecuted, cast down, yet not forsaken, not in despair, not destroyed. Consequently, though his troubles and the care of all the churches made him sorrowful, yet he was always rejoicing (2 Cor. 6:10).

In endeavoring to impress young Christians with the joyful nature of true faith, some have drawn a rather fictitious picture, and exuberant souls have sung,

"I feel like singing all the time," "

or,
My life flows on in endless song."

The life of Paul was not like that, all was not sunshine and flowers for him; he knew what exercise and conflict and tears were. But then he was a full-grown man in the spiritual sense, and not a babe. The fact is that trials and difficulties develop our strength if we go through them with God, feeling their weight but not sinking under them, because supported by grace from above. I knew a man who was very prominent in "Christian work." He said to me, "I can't understand when people say that they get blessing out of troubles and sorrow. I never got any." He went right down into the gutter. I was not surprised.

The secret of peace in all circumstances lies in nearness to God and confidence in Him. "Thou wilt keep Him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because He trusted in Thee." The knowledge of God, of His love and wisdom and power, makes the one who has it say, "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." J. T. Mawson