“The most generous vine, if not pruned, runs out into many superfluous stems and grows at last weak and fruitless: so doth the best man if he be not cut short in his desires, and pruned with afflictions.”
–Joseph Hall
“The agony of man’s affliction is often necessary to put him into the right mood to face the fundamental things of life. The Psalmist says. “Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now I have kept Thy Word.”
–Oswald Chambers


“Afflictions are light when compared with what we really deserve. They are light when compared with the sufferings of the Lord Jesus. But perhaps their real lightness is best seen by comparing them with the weight of glory which is awaiting us.”