Afflictions are Preparations?

The winter prepares the earth for the spring, so do afflictions sanctified prepare the soul for glory.    —Richard Sibbes
 

In mid February I awoke with back and arm pain.  

After five days of useless pill popping
my wife suggested that I call the doctor.  

Why?  I love pain!  I eat pain for breakfast!  

The doctor said, "The ex-rays show that something is wrong
and you  need to go see a different doctor
who knows about bones and disks and things like that.
Take these horse pills for the pain"
So after six weeks of waiting
I was able to see the Specialist and get an MRI scheduled.
Of course he told me to stop taking the pain meds
and gave me some anti-inflammation meds.
So now I am whining about the pain again.

Acquitted

By the righteousness of faith we are acquitted from sin, 

and by the righteousness of works we are acquitted from hypocrisy.       

Thomas Manton - Puritan (1620-1677)

Tombstones

Two different reactions to death

"If we desire to end our days in joy and comfort, let us lay the foundation of a comfortable death now betimes. To die well is not a thing of that light moment as some imagine: it is no easy matter. But to die well is a matter of every day. Let us daily do some good that may help us at the time of our death. Every day by repentance pull out the sting of some sin, that so when death comes, we may have nothing to do but to die. To die well is the action of the whole life.";
Richard Sibbes, Puritan (1577-1635)


On his deathbed, the cattleman asks,
"What's that you always say Rafe?"
"Tis a poor thing to fear the inevitable"
"Who said it Rafe?"
"Someone who wasn't dying."
Louis L'amour - Crossfire Trail

The Gift of Poverty, Disgrace, and Misery

Whatsoever is good for God's children they shall have it,
for all is theirs to further them to heaven;

therefore, if poverty be good, they shall have it;

if disgrace be good, they shall have it;

if crosses be good, they shall have them;

if misery be good, they shall have it;

for all is ours, to serve for our greatest good.

Richard Sibbes 1577 - 1635

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness

to those who have been trained by it.
Therefore lift your drooping hands and
strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet,

so that what is lame may not be put out of joint

but rather be healed.
(Hebrews 12:11-13)

Richard Sibbes is Dead

Born over 400 years ago Richard Sibbes, "The Sweet Dropper", dedicated his life to God and the edification of the believers and followers of Christ.

“When struggling against the corruptions of our own hearts,

buffeted by temptations, and mourning over the weakness of our faith,

and the coldness of our love,

let us still remember, that Christ will not break the bruised reed,

nor quench the smoking flax.

As Captain of our salvation, he combats

and conquers our rebellious inclinations,

as well as our outward and spiritual adversaries,

and hath furnished us with the shield of faith, wherewithal to defend ourselves,

and enable us to repel the fiery darts of the devil."

(Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed, 1630)