Sooner or later, affliction and sorrow come to every Christian. We ought to therefore have true views about pain, about the divine reasons for sending it, and about the mission on which it comes. We ought to know, also, how to endure suffering so as to get from it the blessing, which its hot hand brings to us.
Tribulation is God's threshing, not to harm us or to destroy us -- but to separate what is heavenly and spiritual in us -- from what is earthly and fleshly. Holiness cannot be reached, without cost. Those who would gain the lofty heights -- must climb the cold, rough steeps which lead to them. Afflictions must be received as God's messengers. They often come in very sober garb, and it is only when we receive them in faith, that they disclose to us their merciful aspect and mission.
We should therefore receive afflictions reverently, as sent from God. We may be assured that there is always some blessing for us, in pains hot hand. There is some golden fruit, wrapped up in the rough husk. The true aim of suffering is to get from it, more purity of soul, greater revelations of God's face, more love to Christ, deeper joy in the heart, holier living, and fresh strength for obedience and all duty.