Providence is wiser than you, and you may be confident it has suited all things better to your eternal good than you could do had you been left to your own option.
Interpretation
Trust in a higher power to guide your life for the best, even when it seems beyond your understanding.
This quote by John Flavel emphasizes the importance of recognizing and accepting that there is a greater wisdom at work in the universe than our own limited understanding. It suggests that we often believe we know what is best for ourselves, but true wisdom and guidance come from providence, which has thoughtfully arranged circumstances for our ultimate benefit, even when we may not see it at the time.
In practice
In a speech about overcoming challenges, one might use this quote to remind the audience to trust in greater plans.
All the tears of a penitent sinner, should he shed as many as there have fallen drops of rain, since the creation, to this day, cannot wash away one sin. The everLasting burnings in hell, cannot purify the flaming conscience, from the least sin.
All the dark, intricate, puzzling providences at which we were sometimes so offended...we shall [one day] see to be to us, as the difficult passage through the wilderness was to Israel, "the right way to the city of habitation".
Providence is like a curious piece of tapestry made of a thousand shreds, which, single, appear useless, but put together, they represent a beautiful history to the eye.
The carnal person fears man, not God. The strong Christian fears God, not man. The weak Christian fears man too much, and God too little.
Whatsoever we have over-loved, idolized, and leaned upon, God has from time to time broken it, and made us to see the vanity of it; so that we find the readiest course to be rid of our comforts is to set our hearts inordinately upon them.
It is the duty of the saints, especially in times of straights, to reflect upon the performances of Providence for them in all the states and through all the stages of their lives.
If you keep proving stuff that others have done, getting confidence, increasing the complexities of your solutions - for the fun of it - then one day you'll turn around and discover that nobody actually did that one!
Manic depression's touching my soul. I know what I want, but I just don't know how to go about getting it.
Teach us almighty father, to consider this solemn truth, as we should do, that we may feel the importance of every day, and every hour as it passes.
Man is only truly great when he acts from the passions; never irresistible but when he appeals to the imagination.
You may as well quit reading and hearing the Word of God, and give it to the devil, if you do not desire to live according to it.
It (LSD) opened my eyes. We only use one-tenth of our brain. Just think of what we could accomplish if we could only tap that hidden part! It would mean a whole new world if the politicians would take LSD. There wouldn't be any more war or poverty or famine.
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