Consideration for those Struggling with Difficulties
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patient, continuous effort prove their worth. It is in the water, not on
the land, that we learn to swim. Let them fill with fidelity the place
to which they are called, that they may become qualified to bear still
higher responsibilities. God gives all opportunity to perfect themselves
in His service.
He who puts on the armor to war a good warfare will gain greater
and still greater ability as he strives to perfect his knowledge of God,
working in harmony with the plan God has laid down for the perfect
development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers.
Young men and young women, gather a stock of knowledge. Do
not wait until some human examination pronounces you competent to
work, but go out into the highways and hedges, and begin to work for
God. Use wisely the knowledge you have. Exercise your ability with
faithfulness, generously imparting the light that God gives you. Study
how best to give to others peace and light and truth and the many other
rich blessings of heaven. Constantly improve. Keep reaching higher
and still higher. It is the ability to put to the tax the powers of mind
and body, ever keeping eternal realities in view, that is of value now.
Seek the Lord most earnestly, that you may become more and more
refined, more spiritually cultured. Then you will have the very best
diploma that anyone can have—the endorsement of God.
However large, however small, your talents, remember that what
you have is yours only in trust. Thus God is testing you, giving you
opportunity to prove yourself true. To Him you are indebted for all
your capabilities. To Him belong your powers of body, mind, and soul,
and for Him these powers are to be used. Your time, your influence,
your capabilities, your skill —all must be accounted for to Him who
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gives all. He uses his gifts best who seeks by earnest endeavor to carry
out the Lord’s great plan for the uplifting of humanity, remembering
always that he must be a learner as well as a teacher.
As young men go out into this work and, in spite of many diffi-
culties, make a success, let not propositions be made that they take
up another work and that the work they have started be given into the
charge of men who are older and more experienced. As our young
men struggle with difficulties, they may make mistakes; but if they
press forward perseveringly, their defeats will be turned into victories.
My fellow workers, persevere in the work that you have begun.
Keep at it until you gain victory after victory. Educate yourselves for a