Taking Things Hard

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Jun 2, 1904

Taking Things Hard

TROUBLE is common to all stations and races. The garden of Eden knew it, and the fairest earthly spot to-day is not exempt.

No man’s trouble is precisely the same as another’s; and each one is apt to think his own a little the worst. But it is not of the troubles we wish to speak, but of the way of bearing them. How often we say of one friend, “He takes it so hard,” and of another, “He bears it well.” What makes the difference? Is it in the trouble, or is it in the man? The man who takes it hard declares, emphatically: “The difference is in the trouble;” the observant world answers, slowly: “The difference lies largely in the man.” Ability to suffer is one of the constituents of strength. Manhood means mastery, and troubles are not strong enough to conquer it, nor heavy enough to bow it down. True manhood implies ability to endure without complaint, to suffer without bitterness, to die without fear.

In our darkest hours it is well to remember that others have fought the same fights, borne the same burdens, and been still unconquered; yes, have even gone into battle with a song. “My grace shall be sufficient for thee,” was meant for hours of trial, and “around and beneath us are the everlasting arms.” Trials shall be torches, to reveal our weakness and the strength of our Saviour; sorrow shall be salt, to save us from spiritual decay; tribulation shall but eliminate the chaff, and furnace heat, the dross.

The way we bear trouble is our way, but it is not a necessary part of us. We can not change our trouble; but we can change our way of meeting it. A little more grace means a little less sadness, and there is nothing between us and the grace of God but a closed eye or a tight-shut hand. Faith opens heaven to every sorrowing soul, and the “balm of Gilead” never fails to soothe and heal. We take things if we bear them alone, but the companionship of Jesus makes heavy burdens lighter.—Treasury.