Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
-- James 1:2-4 (ESV)
John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Epistle of James:
He does not say "when you fall into" but "when you meet," as though greeting familiar guests. For the soul that has been strengthened by grace does not flee from trials but receives them as instruments of refinement. Gold is not purified by ease, and neither is faith.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship:
The cross is not the terrible end to an otherwise god-fearing and happy life, but it meets us at the beginning of our communion with Christ. When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.
Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians (c. 96 AD):
Let us fix our eyes on the blood of Christ and understand how precious it is to His Father, because it was shed for our salvation and brought the grace of repentance to all the world. Let us review all the generations in turn and learn how from generation to generation the Master has given a place of repentance to those who desire to turn to Him. Noah preached repentance, and those who obeyed were saved. Jonah proclaimed destruction to the Ninevites; they repented of their sins and propitiated God by supplication and received salvation, although they were aliens to God.
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, Book I, Ch. 25:
If you carry the cross willingly, it will carry you and bring you to your desired end -- namely, to that place where there shall be no more suffering, though here that cannot be. If you carry it unwillingly, you make it a burden for yourself and load yourself the more heavily, and still you must bear it. If you cast away one cross, you will certainly find another, and perhaps a heavier.
What trial are you currently enduring -- and are you letting it do its work, or are you fighting the very thing God is using to build you?
Epictetus, Discourses, I.1:
Some things are within our power, while others are not. Within our power are opinion, motivation, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever is of our own doing. Not within our power are our body, our property, reputation, office, and, in a word, whatever is not of our own doing. The things within our power are by nature free, unhindered, and unimpeded; the things not within our power are weak, slavish, hindered, and not our own. Remember then: if you think that what is naturally slavish is free, and what is not your own is your own, you will be hindered, grieved, disturbed, and you will blame both gods and men.
St. Clair, MI: -- Showers and thunderstorms likely after noon. Mostly sunny early. High near 89°F, falling to around 84°F in the afternoon. West southwest wind 2-10 mph. Chance of precipitation 70%. Rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter inch possible. Tonight: Low around 67°F. Chance of showers and thunderstorms continuing through the night, 60% chance of precipitation.