God Permits Affliction, April 13

Make us glad according to the days wherein Thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. Psalm 90:15. Let me assure you that the struggles and conflicts which must be endured in the discharge of duty, the self-denials and sacrifices which must be made if we are faithful to Christ, are not created by Him. They are not imposed by arbitrary or unnecessary command; they do not come from the severity of the life which He requires us to lead in His service. Trials would exist in greater power and number, were we to refuse obedience to Christ, and become the servants of Satan and the slaves of sin. Jesus invites us to come to Him, and He will lift the weights from our weary shoulders, and place upon us His yoke, which is easy, and His burden, which is light. The path in which He invites us to walk would never have cost us a pang, had we always walked in it. It is when we stray from the path of duty that the way becomes difficult and thorny. The sacrifices which we must make in following Christ are only so many steps to return to the path of light, of peace and happiness.—Testimonies for the Church 4:558.