It may seem paradoxical, but the only person who is at rest has achieved it through conflict. This peace, born of conflict, is not like the ominous lull before the storm but like the serenity and the quietness following the storm, with its fresh, purified air.

The person who may appear to be blessed, having been untouched by sorrow, is typically not one who is strong and at peace. His qualities have never been tested, and he does not know how he would handle even a mild setback. The safest sailor is certainly not one who has never weathered a storm. He may be right for fair-weather sailing, but when a storm arises, wouldn’t you want an experienced sailor at the critical post? Wouldn’t you want one at the helm who has fought through a gale and who knows the strength of the ship’s hull and rigging, and how the anchor may be used to grasp the rocks of the ocean floor?

Oh, how everything gives way when affliction first comes upon us! The clinging stems of our hopes are quickly snapped, and our heart lies overwhelmed and prostrate, like a vine the windstorm has torn from its trellis. But once the initial shock is over and we are able to look up and say, “It is the Lord” (John 21:7), faith begins to lift our shattered hopes once more and securely binds them to the feet of God. And the final result is confidence, safety, and peace.

The adverse winds blew against my life; My little ship with grief was tossed; My plans were gone—heart full of strife, And all my hope seemed to be lost— “Then He arose”—one word of peace. “There was a calm”—a sweet release.

A tempest great of doubt and fear Possessed my mind; no light was there To guide, or make my vision clear. Dark night! ’twas more than I could bear— “Then He arose,” I saw His face— “There was a calm” filled with His grace.

My heart was sinking ’neath the wave Of deepening test and raging grief; All seemed as lost, and none could save, And nothing could bring me relief— “Then He arose”—and spoke one word, “There was a calm!” “IT IS THE LORD.”

Everything that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean.

The Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul.—He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.—Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin.—I will melt them. and try them.

Thou, O God, hast proved us; thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. We went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

He brought me up . . . out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.—You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world. We all had our conversation in times past in the lusts our flesh.

Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed.—Out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.—We went through fire and through water: thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee.