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The School of Sorrow

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 8, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 41.

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The School of Sorrow

By Celia Christenson

CELIA CHRISTENSON
The greatest lesson in life is the lesson of implicit trust in God. It is an easy matter to say that we trust our all-wise Father; but to make this trust a reality is quite another thing. We know that God is true and faithful, and that he weighs every burden before it is allowed to rest upon one of his children; but in times of affliction, when dark clouds overhang the sky, and it seems that the load will crush us if its weight be not quickly lifted, the Christian should seize the opportunity for making religion a reality. Then is the time for him to exercise faith in God, and show his courage by bravely bearing the given task, be it ever so hard.
“Every pilot can steer his ship in calms, but he performs the skilful part who manages it in storms.” It is in the hour of severe trial that we are to show our Heavenly Father our belief in his declaration that “all things work together for good to them that love God.” We can not always see them work, but God can; and so we rest in him, knowing that he who holds the helm must know the course. Thus we journey on in his strength, sweetening the bitter cup with patience; and though the way be ever so dark and thorny, looking forward to the time when God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things will have passed away.
But before we reach that time, we must pass through the waters of trial and affliction to wean us from this world. Only thus can we be made to see the littleness of this life with its pleasures, which are but for a moment, and the vastness of eternity, with its pleasures untold, which shall never pass away.
Many times it takes years of intense suffering to teach frail humanity some lessons which must be learned before the Master can use as he wishes the one he died to save. Why, then, blame the loving Father, who sends the sunshine with the rain? One is as essential as the other for spiritual growth.
It may be that our most cherished plan does not meet his approval; and so, to turn us and have our feet travel in the right path, he must allow the storm that we may appreciate the calm, and see clearly the hand that firmly yet so tenderly leads us in the way wherein we can work more successfully for him.
We need to grasp and claim his promises, and rely wholly and completely upon them. They are sure. No matter how dark the way, if you are sure you are in the right path, don’t give up, but persevere; and success shall be yours in the end. Remember that Jesus knows all about our struggles; “he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” Cast “all your care upon him; for he careth for you,” remembering also his promise, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Boulder, Colo.