Affliction Quote by Thomas Brooks
“When afflictions arrest us, we shall murmur and grumble and struggle until we see that it is God that strikes.”
About This Quote
Source Sermon: 1650s Puritan preaching
When suffering strikes, believers should recognize divine agency and persist despite hardship.
In simple terms: Suffering shows God's hand; keep faith.
Key Takeaway
Recognize purpose in pain and keep trusting.
Themes
faith
suffering
divine purpose
Mood
contemplative
hopeful
Type
spiritual
theological
When to use this quote
- illness
- loss
- persecution
- personal trials
Key Concepts
theodicy
spiritual resilience
trust in God
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this view affect coping?
- Can faith coexist with seeking practical help?
A Different Perspective
Attribution to God may overlook human responsibility.
![“May I strike my heart's keys clearly, and may none fail because of slack, uncertain, or fraying strings. May the tears that stream down my face make me more radiant: may my hidden weeping bloom… How we waste our afflictions!... [T]hey're really our wintering foliage, our dark greens of meaning…” quote by Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7c7/rainer-maria-rilke-193_abode_may-i-strike-my-heart-s-keys-clearly-and_52479.jpg)
