LIGHT AFFLICTION by Laura E. Cushing

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 19, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 54.

LIGHT AFFLICTION.

By Laura E. Cushing

BY LAURA E. CUSHING.

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 2 Cor. 4:17. Is there a life so gay, or so serene and peaceful, or one so surrounded by the delightful things of earth, that sorrow has not touched it? Sorrow has pierced even the most favorable circumstances, and hung with leaden weight upon the tender and delicate tendrils of every heart. Truly "the heart knoweth his own bitterness."

The questions often arise, Why all this sorrow and sadness? Why does the Lord permit such trials, when he could, just by a word, make life smooth and easy, and surround it with blessings that would bring joy and gladness to every heart? Surely he could prevent the trials, and can he be a God of love and still permit them?

These questions arise only from hearts that have been unrenewed by the power of divine love. Surely no one has felt the tender touch of a Saviour's hand, or listened to his words of love and sympathy, even in the severest trial, but could, with Paul, glory in the trial, which, if allowed to accomplish its work, beautifies the life and purifies the heart.

Had man no imperfections to correct, a life of perpetual happiness, or, rather, a continuous flow of things desired to make one happy, might be beneficial, as it will be hereafter; but a life in this age without trials would be much like the plants in a desert, which grow amid continual sunshine and drought, and are sadly lacking in life and beauty.

No one would think of gathering sagebrush to gladden the heart of the sick or sorrowing. No, indeed! But the sweet pansies, that have thrived in the shadow as well as the sunshine, and drunk the rain from the weeping skies, they have blossomed amid the showers, and have obtained life and beauty to shed upon those in affliction; so those only who are able to give real comfort to the sorrowing and distressed are those whose lives have been sweetened by, or, in other words, have blossomed amid, the trials of life. The trial, though seemingly severe, is light, and it only lasts a moment, and then it works for us "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." What, the greater the trial, the greater the glory?—Yes, "a far more exceeding weight of glory." The heavier the trial, if patiently borne for Christ's sake, the heavier the "weight of glory."

Would you have your trials lessened, then, when they work for you "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory"?—Oh, no! Let's have the heavier weight of glory, and bear the trial just for a moment, which, if cast upon Christ, becomes exceeding light; and let us lift up our head and rejoice, for Jesus is soon coming to remove the sorrow from every aching heart.

"Clouds and conflicts round us press; Would we have one sorrow less? All the sharpness of the cross, All that tells the world is loss, Death, and darkness, and the tomb, Only whisper, 'Till he come.'" 97 Plymouth Grove, Montreal, P. Q.