--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our vision is so limited we can hardly…" description: "\"Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering… The love of God did not protect His own S..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/756/elisabeth-elliot-1209_doe_our-vision-is-so-limited-we-can-hardly-i_2627282.png" --- # Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that… ![“Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering… The love of God did not protect His own Son… He will not necessarily protect us - not from anything it takes to make us like His Son. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire…” quote by Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/756/elisabeth-elliot-1209_doe_our-vision-is-so-limited-we-can-hardly-i_2627282.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/756/elisabeth-elliot-1209_doe_our-vision-is-so-limited-we-can-hardly-i_2627282.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/756/elisabeth-elliot-1209_doe_our-vision-is-so-limited-we-can-hardly-i_2627282.png) > “Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering… The love of God did not protect His own Son… He will not necessarily protect us - not from anything it takes to make us like His Son. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into the process.” [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Divine love is transformative, not protective; it refines through trials to shape us like Christ. **In simple terms:** God’s love refines, not shields. Key Takeaway Embrace challenges as spiritual refinement. Themes spiritual growth divine love refinement Mood reflective hopeful Type theological inspirational When to use this quote - personal trials - spiritual formation - faith development Key Concepts theology transformation suffering Questions to Reflect On - How do you respond to suffering? - What does “refined by fire” mean for you? A Different Perspective Love may not prevent pain, only shape through it. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Fire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fire/) [God love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-love/) [Hard times](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-times/) [Imagine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagine/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-god/) [Love of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-of-god/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Protect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protect/) [Protect Son](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protect-son-2159551/) [Protection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protection/) [Protection Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protection-suffering-2159550/) [Purifying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purifying/) [Shows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shows/) [Son](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/son/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Suffering Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering-love-341252/) [Vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vision/) ## Related quotes > [“Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering. The love of God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/our-vision-is-so-limited-we-can-hardly-imagine-a-love-that-does-not-3/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering. The love of God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/our-vision-is-so-limited-we-can-hardly-imagine-a-love-that-does-not/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [“no ideology can protect a son from the unwelcome inheritance of his father’s ambitions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-strout/no-ideology-can-protect-a-son-from-the-unwelcome-inheritance-of-his/) [Elizabeth Strout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-strout/) > [“Men, it is supposed want to pass their wisdom to their sons; he would give a great deal to protect his own son from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-mantel/men-it-is-supposed-want-to-pass-their-wisdom-to-their-sons-he-would/) [Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mantel/) > [The greatness of our love of God must be tested by the desire we have of suffering for His love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-neri/the-greatness-of-our-love-of-god-must-be-tested-by-the-desire-we-have/) [Philip Neri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-neri/) > [For the love of God, keep writing these airtcels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kailey/for-the-love-of-god-keep-writing-these-airtcels/) [Kailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kailey/) > [“May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. (2 Thess. 3:5)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scotty-smith/may-the-lord-direct-your-hearts-to-the-love-of-god-and-to-the/) [Scotty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scotty-smith/) > [ “Paul in like manner declares, “Love is the fulfilling of the law:” and \[he declares\] that when all other things have been destroyed, there… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-church-fathers/paul-in-like-manner-declares-love-is-the-fulfilling-of-the-law-and-he/) [The Church Fathers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-church-fathers/) > [The more we touch the intimate love of God which creates, sustains, and guides us, the more we recognize the multitude of fruits that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/the-more-we-touch-the-intimate-love-of-god-which-creates-sustains-and/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [The love of God is amazing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalyn/the-love-of-god-is-amazing/) [Magdalyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalyn/) > [The love of God is not something vague or generic; the love of God has a name and a face: Jesus Christ.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/the-love-of-god-is-not-something-vague-or-generic-the-love-of-god-has/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [“And I pray mark how he begins: he sets not up trophies to himself, but triumphs in his God-- "I will love thee, O…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-steele/and-i-pray-mark-how-he-begins-he-sets-not-up-trophies-to-himself-but/) [Richard Steele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-steele/) > [A Christian should always remember that the value of his good works is not based on their number and excellence, but on the love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-the-cross/a-christian-should-always-remember-that-the-value-of-his-good-works/) [John of the Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-the-cross/) > [If the love of God really reigns in your heart, it will show itself in the exterior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-mcauley/if-the-love-of-god-really-reigns-in-your-heart-it-will-show-itself-in/) [Catherine McAuley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mcauley/) > [Those are decisions only the Lord will make. I believe the love of God is absolute. He said he gave his son for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/those-are-decisions-only-the-lord-will-make-i-believe-the-love-of-god/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) ## More by Elisabeth Elliot > [All our problems are theological ones, William Temple said. All of them have to do with our relationship to God and his to us,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/all-our-problems-are-theological-ones-william-temple-said-all-of-them/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [Discipline, for the Christian, begins with the body. We have only one. It is this body that is the primary material given to us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/discipline-for-the-christian-begins-with-the-body-we-have-only-one-it/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [It seems disrespectful to me to see ladies in church in very short skirts or skimpy, sleeveless tops. I would imagine that it could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/it-seems-disrespectful-to-me-to-see-ladies-in-church-in-very-short/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [The deepest lessons come out of the deepest waters and the hottest fires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/the-deepest-lessons-come-out-of-the-deepest-waters-and-the-hottest/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [Everything if given to God can become your gateway to joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/everything-if-given-to-god-can-become-your-gateway-to-joy/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [Lead me, Lord, to the Rock that is higher than I. Let me hear your word, give me grace to obey, to build steadily,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/lead-me-lord-to-the-rock-that-is-higher-than-i-let-me-hear-your-word/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [Experience had quickly taught her that she could not survive the storms without the anchor of the constraining love of Christ and what she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/experience-had-quickly-taught-her-that-she-could-not-survive-the/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [The pain of loneliness is one way in which he wants to get our attention. We may be earnestly desiring to be obedient and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/the-pain-of-loneliness-is-one-way-in-which-he-wants-to-get-our/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [“If men and women were surer of their God there would be more genuine manliness, womanliness, and godliness in the world, and a whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/if-men-and-women-were-surer-of-their-god-there-would-be-more-genuine/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [I believe with all my heart God's Story has a happy ending. . . But not yet, not necessarily yet. It takes faith to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/i-believe-with-all-my-heart-god-s-story-has-a-happy-ending-but-not/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [“I do know that waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/i-do-know-that-waiting-on-god-requires-the-willingness-to-bear/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [“What do women want today? What do men want? I mean, deep down. What do they really want? If ‘times’ have changed, have human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/what-do-women-want-today-what-do-men-want-i-mean-deep-down-what-do/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [God will never disappoint us… If deep in our hearts we suspect that God does not love us and cannot manage our affairs as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/god-will-never-disappoint-us-if-deep-in-our-hearts-we-suspect-that/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [Muddled thinking inevitably results in muddled living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/muddled-thinking-inevitably-results-in-muddled-living/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [The world cries for men who are strong--strong in conviction, strong to lead, to stand, to suffer. I pray that you will be that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/the-world-cries-for-men-who-are-strong-strong-in-conviction-strong-to/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) [Explore all 273 Elisabeth Elliot quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) ## More Doe quotes > [So the fool, as distinct from the scoundrel, is completely self- satisfied; in fact, he can easily become dangerous, as it does not take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/so-the-fool-as-distinct-from-the-scoundrel-is-completely-self/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [I cannot forbid a person to marry several wives, for it does not contradict Scripture. MARTIN LUTHER, letter to Chancellor Gregory Brück, January 13,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/i-cannot-forbid-a-person-to-marry-several-wives-for-it-does-not/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [For successful education there must always be a certain freshness in the knowledge dealt with. It must be either new in itself or invested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/for-successful-education-there-must-always-be-a-certain-freshness-in/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [Sometimes a sign or a quote is simply interesting by itself and does not require anything beyond being framed on a page.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-vincent-benet/sometimes-a-sign-or-a-quote-is-simply-interesting-by-itself-and-does/) [Stephen Vincent Benet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-vincent-benet/) > [A home is not a museum. It doesn't have to be furnished with Picasso paintings, or Sheraton suites, or Oriental rugs, or Chinese pottery.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-m-cain/a-home-is-not-a-museum-it-doesn-t-have-to-be-furnished-with-picasso/) [James M. Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-m-cain/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. 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What the U.S. knows is that if you don't have a coalition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shimon-peres/one-of-the-things-the-united-states-does-well-is-building-coalitions/) [Shimon Peres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shimon-peres/) > [Preaching to the choir actually arms the choir with arguments and elevates the choir's discourse. There's a reason the right does it and does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-savage/preaching-to-the-choir-actually-arms-the-choir-with-arguments-and/) [Dan Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-savage/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. 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