We desire that God would give us the death-stroke; but we…
““We desire that God would give us the death-stroke; but we long to die without pain; we would die to our own will by the power of the will itself; we want to lose all and still hold all. Ah! what agony, what distress, when God has brought us to the end of our strength! We faint like a patient under a painful surgical operation. But the comparison is nought, for the object of the surgeon is to give us life -- that of God to make us die.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human longing for death reflects a desire to escape suffering, yet faith offers a higher purpose beyond pain.
In simple terms: We seek death to avoid pain, but spiritual hope transcends suffering.
Key Takeaway
Seek meaning and trust in divine purpose amid suffering.
Themes
suffering
faith
death
will
spirituality
Mood
contemplative
hopeful
Type
theological
existential
When to use this quote
- terminal illness
- grief
- spiritual crisis
- ethical dilemmas
Key Concepts
theology
existentialism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What gives you hope in suffering?
- How can faith reshape the desire for death?
A Different Perspective
Focusing solely on death can neglect the transformative power of faith.