The Afflicted Person Reflects upon the Happy Issue of His Cross
A difficult journey becomes short when it is quickly accomplished.
Similarly an afflicted person should bear in mind, that his misery will certainly have an end, and that, perhaps even in this life; just as God turned David’s flight, Hezekiah’s illness, Job’s distress, the widow’s tears and the palsied man’s pains to their advantage even in this life.
Most assuredly, however, God will end the cross of the godly and turn it to their advantage at death; for then they shall obtain the crown, the white robe, and the joy of heaven; then He will wipe away all tears from their eyes.
An afflicted person should bear in mind when he is saddened by his affliction, that his soul is being edified by suffering, for by this means he was led to know the omnipotence, wisdom, love, and mercy of God.
By means of his sufferings and their happy issue his confidence has been established and his faith strengthened. And if the love of the world has been extinguished in him by the cross, so that he has now become more godly, more devout, more Christlike, more humble, and more meek, he has certainly derived a great benefit from his cross.
Thus the issue of the cross remains a happy and blessed one, whether the cross is terminated here in time or hereafter in eternity.
Johann Friedrich Starck
As we come to Lent, it is so comforting to know that all of our afflictions and trials have been taken from us through the cross of Christ. There is nothing that can keep us from God’s love, even through the difficult times.