At such times, the heart of man turns instictively towards his Maker. In prosperity, and whenever there is nothing to injure or make him afraid, he remembers Him not, and is ready to defy Him; but place him in the midst of dangers, cut him off from human aid, let the grave open before him, then it is, in the time of his tribulation, that the scoffer and unbelieving man turns to God for help, feeling there is no other hope, or refuge, or safety, save in his protecting arm.

But, as I know that strength arising from obedience has a way of simplifying things which seem impossible, my will very gladly resolves to attempt this task although the prospect seems to cause my physical nature great distress; for the Lord has not given me strength enough to enable me to wrestle continually both with sickness and with occupations of many kinds without feeling a great physical strain. May He Who has helped me by doing other and more difficult things for me help also in this: in His mercy I put my trust.

Learn from the ocean; not fearing turbulence, it uses the wind against it to rise instead.

A leaf has no power to resist when the wind blows, but when life’s storms rage, you do.

Be the calm in someone else’s storm.

Advice to my younger self:1 Start where you are with what you have2 Try not to hurt other people3 Take more chances4 If you fail, keep trying

Life, is a chess game you win or loose, but just keep playing.

Not only do our trials become classrooms that teach us life’s most profound lessons, they add joy and meaning to daily living.

Our trials are our greatest teachers, mentors and benefactors.

We love being mentally strong, but we hate situations that allow us to put our mental strength to good use.

It is impossible to graduate from the University of Life with no scars.

Pain teaches you more than pleasure. Failure teaches you more than success. Poverty teaches you more than prosperity. Adversity teaches you more than comfort.

If an opportunity comes dressed in trouble’s apparel, do not scorn it.

If the sky had no tears, the world would have no rainbows.

Only dead leaves allow the wind to blow them to and fro.

Wine had to be grapes first. Diamonds had to be rocks first. Butterflies had to be caterpillars first. Rainbows had to be storms first.

The ugliest storms paint the loveliest rainbows.

A flower blooming in a storm is stronger than a tree blossoming under a rainbow.

The storm only comes to teach you how to skillfully sail your ship.

The rainbow’s colors are hidden in the storm.

I am the bended, but not broken. I am the power of the thunderstorm. I am the beauty in the beast. I am the strength in weakness. I am the confidence in the midst of doubt. I am Her!

Perfume is the scent that pours out of a flower's soul when crushed.

A mighty storm is inconsequential when facing a mighty ship.

A rainbow earns its colors in the storm.

Stars are born out of dark moments.

Extraordinary storms turn average seamen into extraordinary sailors.

Wind either breaks a tree or teaches it to dance.

What you endured was a sign of what you would become.

The Lord doesn't always make our paths smooth sailing, but He does make it possible to rise above adversity.

One friend in a storm is worth more than a thousand friends in sunshine.

A tree does not stop growing because the wind blew off a few of its leaves.

A rose’s beautiful scent is extracted only when it is crushed.

It is in deep waters that God teaches us to swim.

Our most beautiful dreams are born from our most unpleasant nightmares.

God will only push you off a cliff if He's going to give you wings to fly.

You are not forever in the dark. Look up. There's the Light.

Some of the most amazing people in the world were not perfect; they were scarred by suffering, hardships, losses and imperfections.

It's a shame there has to be a tragedy before the best in people will finally shine.

God love's in the dark.

I had to open my eyes, so I could see a new life!

Cradle of SolitudeFor we know not why our tribulationsare given as suchour fragile formscreated from the dust...

When the same lessons of life that taught them teaches you, you get a good understanding of what made them become who and what they became; you appreciate them better and you uphold the dignity of their integrity in high esteem!

I am grateful for all the trials for that made be a better person.

Endure, my heart; yea, a baser thing thou once didst bear

Beautiful souls are shaped by ugly experiences.

Be like a rose; no matter how many thorns you encounter in life, bloom.

We learn much by tribulation, and by adversity our hearts are made better. -Bishop Milton Wright to Orville Wright, 20 Sept. 1908

The cicadas buzzing, I can hear them through the window. Buzzing louder and louder. Just like the night I sat by the window in the dark, gasping for air, feeling the riddle wriggling in my chest, hearing the monster's heavy footsteps in my ears. And suddenly I know. What they do all those years living in the ground. The nymphs who are to become cicadas. Maybe they don’t know it themselves, but they are writing their song. Collecting the notes in the dark earth. The song rising to the sky, this is how it is, this is how it always is. The song floating toward the sky comes from the underworld.

Don't let yesterday’s storm keep you from enjoying today's sunshine.