Our heavenly Father sends us frequent troubles to try our faith. If our faith be worth anything, it will stand the test. The Lord afflicts His servants to glorify Himself, for He is greatly glorified in the graces of His people, which are His own handiwork. The wisdom and power of the great Workman are discovered by the trials through which His vessels of mercy are permitted to pass.
Present afflictions tend also to heighten future joy.
There must be shades in the picture to bring out the beauty of the lights. There are many other comfortable answers to the question with which we opened our brief meditation, let us muse upon it all day long.