Overcoming Discouragements

Richard Sibbes

Suffering brings discouragements, because of our impatience. "Alas!'. we lament, "I shall never get through such a trial.' But if God brings into the trial he will be with us in the trial, and at length bring us out, more refined. We shall lose nothing but dross (Zech. 13:9). From our own strength we cannot bear the least trouble, but by the Spirit's assistance we can bear the greatest. The Spirit will add his shoulders to help us to bear our infirmities. The Lord will give us His hand to heave us up (Psa. 37:24). 'Ye have heard of the patience of Job,' says James (James 5:11). We have heard of his impatience too, but it pleased God mercifully to overlook that. It yields us comfort also in desolate conditions, such as contagious sicknesses and the like, in which we are more immediately under God's hand, that then Christ has a throne of mercy at our bedside and numbers our tears and groans. (Taken from The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes, Banner of Truth, pgs. 54-55.)