General Conference Bulletin, vol. 4

THE SURE CURE FOR BITTER EXPERIENCES

When Moses came to the bitter waters of Marah, he held a prayer-meeting; but the children of Israel turned the occasion into a fault-finding meeting, and tried to find some one to blame for this trying experience. The Lord showed Moses a branch that would sweeten the water, while the devil showed the people that Moses was to blame for all their trouble. There is a branch in Romans 8:28 (“We know that all things work together for good to them that love God”) that will sweeten the most bitter experiences that we shall be called upon to pass through; but it must be applied whenever the occasion demands. It is well for us to know that God never sends us any trouble without previously seeking to whisper to us some truth, which, if accepted, would save us the after-pain and sorrow. Job 33:14, 19. GCB April 9, 1901, page 160.13

Ordinary germs can be destroyed at a boiling temperature; by adding sufficient salt to convert the water into brine, it can be heated eighteen degrees hotter before it begins to boil, so it will destroy more virulent germs than simple boiling water; but when we wish to be absolutely sure that the fluid is sterile, we subject it to live steam under pressure. This surely and certainly kills all germs and spores, provided the vessel does not burst. This may illustrate how God allows various circumstances to purify us: when ordinary opportunities do not have sufficient effect, he brings us through an experience that produces briny tears. If this does not spiritually sterilize us, he subjects us to greater pressure. The devil comes in at this point, and tempts the individual to say, “I won’t stand it;” and he feels as if he should “fly all to pieces,” and that he is “going to give it all up;” thus the process is spoiled, because he lives by feeling instead of principle. “Despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him.” Hebrews 12:5. GCB April 9, 1901, page 160.14

A true conception of God’s plans for us makes heaven bud and blossom, even here below. It sheds light into the dark corners of life, and blows leaves of happiness into the pathway of the Christian; all this is a part of the Christian’s heritage this side the River Jordan. GCB April 9, 1901, page 161.1

When we are determined to have our own way, in spite of God’s admonitions, the only thing that the Lord can consistently send to us is trouble, which will tend to obstruct our path, and thus save us from going to destruction. Therefore let us cease to work against God’s providences, and say, “Here am I; send me.” On this point we may learn wonderful lessons from Jonah’s experience. The Lord prepared a gourd to protect him from the fierce rays of the sun, and he was “exceedingly glad” for it, and undoubtedly felt that he deserved such favors. But directly, God, in his infinite wisdom, prepared a worm, which destroyed the vine to the extent that it withered; then he prepared a vehement east wind. God knew that Jonah needed to pass through these two latter experiences just as much as to sit in the shade; for with the scorching sun beating upon his head, and a furnace-like wind wilting his body, he had a better opportunity to sympathize with suffering humanity,—a lesson that he would not learn in any other way. When God has permitted some worm (perhaps in one form, perhaps in another) to spoil some of your cherished plans, do you get angry at the worm? or do you recognize that God permitted the circumstance to occur for some wise purpose, and thank him for it, whether or not you can discern the object to be attained?—David Paulson, M. D. GCB April 9, 1901, page 161.2

“Simplicity and plainness are the soul of elegance.” GCB April 9, 1901, page 161.3