(From: Afflicton its use and Benefits)
“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” Hebrews 12:6
Affliction comes not forth out of the dust, neither does trouble spring out of the ground,” but they are all sent in wisdom and love; and every circumstance, as to time and manner, is exactly ordered for the best. Were every circumstance more narrowly examined, it would doubtless give us a great insight into the wisdom and love of God in all his afflictive dispensations. God does not willingly afflict any of his children, but they always stand in absolute need, at the very time, of the very affliction which He sends. It could not be laid aside, not delayed, not altered for another, without great hurt and injury to the soul.