2 Corinthians 1:5

There is a blessed proportion. The Ruler of Providence bears a pair of scales—in one scale He puts His people’s trials, and in the other He puts their consolations. When the scale of trial is nearly empty, you will always find the scale of consolation in nearly the same condition; and when the scale of trials is full, you will find the scale of consolation just as heavy.

When the black clouds gather most, the light is more brightly revealed to us. When the night lowers and the tempest approaches, the Heavenly Captain is always closest to His crew. It is a blessed thing that when we are most cast down, it is then that we are most lifted up by the consolations of the Spirit.

One reason is that trials make more room for consolation. Great hearts can only be made by great troubles. The spade of trouble digs the reservoir of comfort deeper and makes more room for consolation. God comes into our heart—He finds it full—He begins to break our comforts and make it empty; then there is more room for grace.

The humbler a man is, the more comfort he will always have, because he will be more prepared to receive it.

Another reason why we are often happiest in our troubles is this—then we have the closest dealings with God. When the barn is full, man can live without God; when the purse is bursting with gold, we try to do without so much prayer.

But once our gourds are taken away, we long for our God; once the idols are cleansed from the house, then we are compelled to honor Jehovah.

Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. There is no cry as good as that which comes from the bottom of the mountains; no prayer as fervent as that which comes up from the depths of the soul, through deep trials and afflictions.

Hence, they bring us to God, and we are happier, for nearness to God is happiness. Come, troubled believer, do not fret over your heavy troubles, for they are the heralds of weighty mercies.