How to Greatly Rejoice . . . in Heaviness

"I sometimes think the whole art of the Christian life is the art of asking questions. 


Our danger is just to allow things to happen to us and endure them without saying anything apart from a groan, a grumble or complaint. The thing to do is to discover, if we can, why these things are taking place . . . 


 . . . These things happen, says the apostle, because they are good for us, because they are a part of our discipline in this life and in this world, because - let me put it quite plainly - because God has appointed it . . . 


 . . . We are walking through this life under the eye of our Heavenly Father . . . There is a very definite plan and purpose for the whole of my life, God has looked upon me, God has adopted me, and put me into His family . . . 


 . . . The trouble is when these trials come we tend to see nothing but the trials, or nothing but clouds. At such a time . . . When you can see nothing at all just open your Scriptures . . . and say: 'I know God is good, I know Christ died for me, I know I belong to God, I know my inheritance is in heaven, I cannot see it now but I know that it is there, I know that God is keeping it and that no one will ever take it out of His mighty hands.' Say that to yourself. Remind yourself of the things in which you greatly rejoice, though now for a season if need be you are in manifold temptations . . . "


'When all things seem against us,
To drive us to despair,
We know one gate is open,
One ear will hear our prayer.'


{Excerpt from Spiritual Depression by M.L. Jones}

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
1 Peter 1:6-8