Mind, Character, and Personality Vol. 2 - Second Advent Revival

Let me assure you that the struggles and conflicts which must be endured in the
discharge of duty, the self-denials and sacrifices which must be made if we are faithful
to Christ, are not created by Him. They are not
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imposed by arbitrary or unnecessary command; they do not come from the severity of
the life which He requires us to lead in His service. Trials would exist in greater power
and number were we to refuse obedience to Christ and become the servants of Satan
and the slaves of sin.-- 4T 557, 558 (1881). {2MCP 555.4}
Life Is a Conflict.--This life is a conflict, and we have a foe who never sleeps, who
is watching constantly to destroy our minds and lure us away from our precious Saviour,
who has given His life for us.--LS 291 (1915). {2MCP 556.1}
Prepare the Soul for Peace.--The Lord permits conflicts to prepare the soul for
peace.--GC 663 (1888). {2MCP 556.2}
Religious Experience Gained Only Through Conflict.--With energy and fidelity
our youth should meet the demands upon them, and this will be a guarantee of
success. Young men who have never made a success in the temporal duties of life will
be equally unprepared to engage in the higher duties. A religious experience is gained
only through conflict, through disappointment, through severe discipline of self, through
earnest prayer. The steps to heaven must be taken one at a time, and every advance
step gives strength for the next.--CT 100 (1913). {2MCP 556.3}
Have Happiness Now.--I do not look to the end for all the happiness; I get
happiness as I go along. Notwithstanding that I have trials and afflictions, I look away to
Jesus. It is in the strait, hard places that He is right by our side, and we can commune
with Him, lay all our burdens upon the Burden Bearer, and say, "Here, Lord, I cannot
carry these burdens longer." Then He says to us, "My yoke is easy, and My burden is
light" (Matthew 11:30). Do you believe it? I have tested it. I love Him; I love Him. I see in
Him matchless charms. And I want to praise Him in the kingdom of God.--LS 292
(1915).
557 {2MCP 556.4}
Two Antagonistic Principles.--The kingdom of God comes not with outward show.
The gospel of the grace of God, with its spirit of self-abnegation, can never be in
harmony with the spirit of the world. The two principles are antagonistic. "The natural
man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him:
neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians
2:14).--DA 509 (1898). {2MCP 557.1}
Conform Not in Principles and Customs.--Like Israel, Christians too often yield to
the influence of the world and conform to its principles and customs in order to secure
the friendship of the ungodly, but in the end it will be found that these professed friends
are the most dangerous of foes. {2MCP 557.2}