Shepherd the Flock

Trials. Afflictions. Trouble. Frustrations. We all go through them: young or old, rich or poor, saved or lost. And right now there are a few trials and just general disappointments that my family is going through right now. We’re sad over a few providences, disappointed in some endeavors that just haven’t worked out as we’ve planned, and maybe even a little exhausted from the rigors of a busy life.

And though I haven’t had much time to blog lately, I’ve been eating up Volume 1 of John Flavel’s Works. In this volume there are 42 sermons entitled, “The Fountain of Life: A Display of Christ in His Essential Mediatorial Glory“.

Recently I came across this little section on patience under trials, and I thought it might benefit a few of my readers as it certainly has done for us during this time:

“Methinks I should persuade you to it: yea, everything about you persuades to patience in your sufferings, as well as I: look which way you will, upward or downward, inward or outward, backward or forward, to the right-hand, or to the left, you shall find all things persuading and urging the doctrine of patience upon you.

First, Look Upwards, when tribulations come upon you: look to that sovereign Lord, that commissionates and sends them upon you. You know troubles do not rise out of the dust, nor spring out of the ground, but are framed in heaven, Jer 18:11…

…It is for want [lack] of looking up to God in our troubles, that we fret, murmur, and despond at the rate we do.

Secondly, Look Downward, and see what is below you, as well as up to that which is above you. You are afflicted, and you cannot bear it. Oh! no trouble like your trouble! Never man in such a case as you are! Well, well, cast the eye of your mind downward, and see those who lie much lower than you…

…Surely, if you can see any creature below you, especially any reasonable being, you have no reason to return to ungratefully upon your God, and accuse your Maker of severity, or charge God foolishly. Look down and you shall see grounds to be quiet.

Thirdly, Look Inward,…and see if you can find nothing there to quiet you. Cast your eye into your own hearts; consider either the corruptions or the graces that are there.

…Hath not that proud heart need enough of all this to humble it? That carnal heart need of such things as these to mortify it? That backsliding, wandering heart need of all this to reduce and recover it to its God?

…And as your corruptions call for it, so do your graces too. Wherefore think ye the Lord planted the principles of faith, humility, patience, etc., in your souls? What, were they put there for nothing? Did the Lord intend they should lie sleeping in their drowsy habits? Or were they not planted there in order to exercise?

Fourthly, Look outward, and see who stands by and observes your carriage under trouble. Are there not many eyes upon you?

…To the wicked there can scarcely be an higher gratification and pleasure, than to see your carriage under trouble so like their own; for thereby they are confirmed in their prejudices against religion, and in their good opinion of themselves…Oh, how do you dishonour Christ before His enemies, when you make them think all your religion lies in talking of it!

Fifthly, Look Backward, and see if there is nothing behind you that may hush and quiet your impatient spirits; consult multitude of experiences past and gone; both your own and others.

…O what cause have you to be quiet now, and patiently wait for the salvation of God! Did He help you then, and cannot He do so now?…[Or] Have you kept no record of past experiences? How ungrateful then have you been to your God, and how injurious to yourselves, if you have not read them over in such a day as this? For to that end they were given to you.

Sixthly, Look Forward, to then end of your troubles; yea, look to a double end of them, the end of their duration, and the end of their operation.

…Alas! What are a few days and nights of sorrows, when they are past? Are they not swallowed up as a spoonful of water in the vast ocean? But more especially look to the end of their operation. What do all these afflictions tend to and effect? Do the not work out an exceeding weight of glory? Are you not by them made “partakers of His holiness”?

Seventhly, Look to your right-hand, and see how you are shamed, convinced and silenced by other Christians and it may be such too, as never made that profession you have done; and yet can not only patiently bear the afflicting hand of God, but are blessing, praising, admiring God under their troubles; whilst you are sinning against, and dishonouring Him under smaller ones. It may be that you will find some poor Christians that know not where to have their next bread, and yet are speaking of the bounty of their God; while you are repining in the midst of plenty.

Eighthly, Look to your left-hand, and there you will see a sad sight, and what one would think should quiet you. There you may see a company of wicked, graceless wretches, carrying themselves under their troubles, but too much like yourselves. What do they more, than fret and murmur, despond and sink; mix sin with their afflictions, when the rod of God is upon them?

Reader, such considerations as these, I am persuaded, would be of singular use to they soul at such a time, but above all, thine eying the great pattern of patience, Jesus Christ; whose Lamb-like carriage, under a trial, with which thine is not to be named in the same day, is her recommended to thee. O how should this transform thee into a lamb, for meekness also!”

[P364-368]