"In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity con-
sider: surely God has appointed the one as well as the other . . . "
This is good counsel (above) from the "Preacher" (Solomon). We all naturally want good things to come our way, and to happen to us; but it takes real faith and maturity to understand that "bad" things also come from the *same* Fatherly hand of our loving God in heaven.
This is not to suggest that we should be "happy" about bad things hap-
pening to us--because that would be perverse. But we may take com-
fort in knowing that nothing comes our way that does not ultimately originate from God's perfect will and intentions toward us (who are faithful in Christ and His church).
[Puritan quote of the day: "It is a holy state of soul to be under the power of nothing beneath itself." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Con-
flict with Itself"]
