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Strength From Struggle, February 8
For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded:
therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be
ashamed.
Isaiah 50:7
.
You have been bought with an infinite price and you are not your own.
Soul, body, and spirit belong to Jesus Christ and you should in all humility,
yet with firmness and decision, say “I am the Lord’s. I will serve Him with
my whole heart, mind, might, and strength.”
Do not be discouraged with the opposition you encounter. It might at the
present time be more pleasant to float with the current for the descent from
righteousness and holiness to darkness and transgression is easy, while the
one who seeks to win the eternal shores will have to struggle against wind and
tide. A faith and religion that is not aggressive in spirit or heroic in action, but
is corrupted by worldly currents is the only religion admired and respected
and esteemed worthy by the world....
The scorn and derision, which is called forth from that class who despise
the truth of God, is a compliment to Christian integrity. If you were of the
world, you could enjoy its smiles, its flattery, and its applause. If Jesus
Christ is in you, the hope of glory, your spirituality will rebuke the pride and
extravagance of the world....
The opposition which you meet may prove an advantage to you in many
respects. It will develop a class of Christian virtues which seldom spring up
in the path of prosperity and sunshine. Faith, patience, forbearance, heavenly-
mindedness, increasing trust in Providence are the fruits which blossom and
mature amid clouds of darkness, storm, and tempest. The forest tree which
stands alone and exposed to the fierce winds and storm and tempest will not be
uprooted by the gale, but will strike its roots deep and spread out its branches
in every direction, becoming more beautiful and strong as the consequence
of its withstanding storm and tempest. This may be your case. You may be
deprived of sympathy and human support and you may feel that your only
hope is to reach up your hands in supplication to God and hang your helpless
soul upon your Redeemer. Help which heaven sends will be just what you
need....
If you fear God, you need not fear anything beside. If you please Him,
you will secure everything your soul requires.—
Letter 4a, February 8, 1880
,
to Sister Brigs.
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