Keep up good Spirits

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 18, 1855

Keep up good Spirits.

You have trials. They are the common lot of mankind. Bear them patiently and with unquestioning submission. Think not they are needless. Fail not to derive good from them. You have met with disappointments. And who has not? Before you allow yourself to complain, pause and reflect. In the past, can you not see many instances in which it was merciful that you had disappointments? Had your desires been gratified, you now see that you must have been greatly injured. You are glad and thankful that God crossed your purposes. Wait patiently, and you shall soon see that your heavenly Father never gave one disappointment that was not needful and good.

You have sustained losses. It was best that you should. In the end you will see it. Even now you may derive great gain from every loss, if you will be led by it to find consolation in God. One smile from Him compensates for every loss. You are poor. No poorer than one who, though he was rich for your sake became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich. He had not where to lay his head.

Your dwelling may be comfortless. Your children poorly clad; you may not be able to procure for them all the necessaries of life. It is a trial. But be cheerful in it. The Lord can raise up friends for you and your little ones. He can give them what is unspeakably more precious than silver and gold. They cannot long be in want. He that hath numbered the hairs of your head knoweth that we have need. His resources are infinite. Trust in Him. Speak to him of all you need. He can make your cup overflow with blessings; or if he withholds some he can give others more precious in their stead.

You have sickness and pain. It is a great affliction. Be cheerful. Show to those around you what power religion has to sustain, comfort and bless, and make a Christian joyful even in the midst of pain, languor, and disease. Be not anxious about the event. All things are ordered wisely and well by your heavenly Father. He does not afflict willingly. He has good and precious purposes to secure in the afflictions which he visits on his people. Perhaps you never received from his hand any providential dispensation which was more needful than this sickness. Let your solicitude respecting it be that you may improve it to the divine glory, and for your own spiritual and eternal good.