Pastoral Afflictions

"All pastoral afflictions are graciously designed to make us rely on God and not ourselves. And therefore our afflictions prepare us to do the one thing most needful for our people - to point them away from ourselves to the all-sufficient God. In this alone is consolation and salvation. Therefore, 'If we are afflicted it is for your comfort and salvation.'"

-John Piper, Brothers, Our Affliction is for Their Comfort