Stars can be seen from the bottom of a deep well when they can’t be seen from the top of a mountain. Similarly, there are many things learned in adversity that the prosperous person never dreams of. We need affliction as trees need winter, to gather sap and nourishment for future blossoms and fruit.

Sorrow is as necessary for the soul as medicine is for the body:

"The path of sorrow, and that path alone, Leads to the land where sorrow is unknown."

The adversities of today are a preparatory school for higher learning.

"There is no love among Christians," cries the person who lacks true charity. "Zeal has disappeared," exclaims the idle talker. "O for more consistency," groans the hypocrite. "We need more genuine godliness," protests the false pretender. Just as in

the old story where the wolf preached against sheep-stealing, many people condemn sins in others that they gladly harbor in themselves.