p. 194 | MARY E. GUILFORD by Mary E. Guilford

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 6, 1871

MARY E. GUILFORD

By Mary E. Guilford

Discouragement.

Under the pressure of adversity, many yield to discouragement. Gloom and despondency settle upon the mind. Faith in the promises of God, give place to distrust and fear. Gloomy forebodings of the future fill the heart. The spirit becomes restless and impatient under the burden of restraint. There is a manifest unwillingness to submit passively to the providence of God. Instances are not rare, when such minds become envious at the prosperity of their neighbors. Dissatisfied with their own position or attainments, they begin with jealous eyes to scrutinize the motives and character of others. If such individuals are professors of religion, while they yield to the power of discouragement, they become a “dead weight” to the church. The time and energy which should be employed in making a daily advancement in the divine life, and disseminating the light of truth to “those that are without,” has to be expended in bringing such ones up out of the slough of despondency and enabling them to plant their feet upon the promises of God’s word, and trust in his mercy and love.

God is good. He will care for the poor and needy. All that will put their trust in him will find sweet peace and abiding rest. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Ps. 23: 1-4.

Oh! I long for the time to come, when the remnant people of God will throw off the shackles of unbelief, and “take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” and move forward with that degree of faith and earnestness, which should characterize those who are announcing the last message of mercy to a perishing world.

This is no time for discouragement. Those who are trying to live out present truth should be of good courage. They should take hold by faith upon the promises of God. There is a battle to be fought with the powers of darkness, a glorious victory to be won, ere the promised rest can be obtained. Then let us arouse our dormant energies, gird on the armor anew, and press forward with determination that we will, in the strength of God, overcome every obstacle which would hinder our progress in the divine life. A heavenly race and an immortal crown demand our zeal. Shall we not go forward in the strength of Israel’s God, and obtain the prize?

“Christian, why should earthly trial Make us lose our trust in God? Can we doubt a Father’s goodness, Though we feel his chastening rod? He has said and will perform it; He has spoken, it shall stand: I will comfort, help, and guide you By my own almighty hand. “If we lack a firm reliance On his ever-present aid, He may leave us in the darkness Which our unbelief has made, Golden moments, rich in mercy, We are wasting day by day; How we wrong our blessed Saviour, When we doubt, and cease to pray.”

MARY E. GUILFORD

Castalia, Ohio.