Trust in Him

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 
1 Thessalonians 5:11


For several days now, I've been mindful of sharing with others the encouragements I have received, so it is my intention to share these as often as I can.  We are a part the cloud of witnesses surrounding one another: those who go before us are examples and lead the way, those on our sides support and encourage, those behind us can easily see our progress and give shouts of victory!  Hallelujah! 

With that purpose in mind, this entry is foundational to me, describing my experience when Dale was most critical after his stroke and I had no control, no answers.  That experience has not left me, but is foundational as we move forward, resting in Him completely, as the song says "in Christ alone I put my trust".
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From Streams in the Desert, September 10...

"The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me" (Ps. 138:8)

There is a Divine mystery in suffering, a strange and supernatural power in it, which has never been fathomed by the human reason. There never has been known great saintliness of soul which did not pass through great suffering. When the suffering soul reaches a calm sweet carelessness, when it can inwardly smile at its own suffering, and does not even ask God to deliver it from suffering, then it has wrought its blessed ministry; then patience has its perfect work; then the crucifixion begins to weave itself into a crown.
It is in this state of the perfection of suffering that the Holy Spirit works many marvelous things in our souls. In such a condition, our whole being lies perfectly still under the hand of God; every faculty of the mind and will and heart are at last subdued; a quietness of eternity settles down into the whole being; the tongue grows still, and has but few words to say; it stops asking God questions; it stops crying, "Why hast thou forsaken me?"
The imagination stops building air castles, or running off on foolish lines; the reason is tame and gentle; the choices are annihilated; it has no choice in anything but the purpose of God. The affections are weaned from all creatures and all things; it is so dead that nothing can hurt it, nothing can offend it, nothing can hinder it, nothing can get in its way; for, let the circumstances be what they may, it seeks only for God and His will, and it feels assured that God is making everything in the universe, good or bad, past or present, work together for its good.

Oh, the blessedness of being absolutely conquered! of losing our own strength, and wisdom, and plans, and desires, and being where every atom of our nature is like placid Galilee under the omnipotent feet of our Jesus.  
--Soul Food

The great thing is to suffer without being discouraged. --Fenelon

In Christ Alone by Michael English   (click link to hear song)