Dangers in Success
[
Special Testimonies to Physicians and Helpers, 15-17
(1879).]
It is a dangerous age for any man who has talents which can be of
value in the work of God; for Satan is constantly plying his temptations
upon such a person, ever trying to fill him with pride and ambition;
and when God would use him, in nine cases out of ten he becomes
independent, self-sufficient, and feels capable of standing alone. This
will be your danger, Dr.----, unless you live a life of constant faith
and prayer. You may have a deep and abiding sense of eternal things
and that love for humanity which Christ has shown in His life. A
close connection with Heaven will give the right tone to your fidelity
and will be the ground of your success. Your feeling of dependence
will drive you to prayer and your sense of duty summon you to effort.
Prayer and effort, effort and prayer, will be the business of your life.
You must pray as though the efficiency and praise were all due to God,
and labor as though duty were all your own. If you want power you
may have it, as it is awaiting your draft upon it. Only believe in God,
take Him at His word, act by faith, and blessings will come.
In this matter, genius, logic, and eloquence will not avail. Those
who have a humble, trusting, contrite heart, God accepts and hears
their prayer; and when God helps, all obstacles will be overcome.
How many men of great natural abilities and high scholarship have
failed when placed in positions of responsibility, while those of feebler
intellect, with less favorable surroundings, have been wonderfully
successful. The secret was, the former trusted to themselves, while
the latter united with Him who is wonderful in counsel and mighty in
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working to accomplish what He will.
Your work being always urgent, it is difficult for you to secure
time for meditation and prayer; but this you must not fail to do. The
blessing of Heaven, obtained by daily supplication, will be as the bread
of life to your soul and will cause you to increase in spiritual and moral
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