Herbert: Joseph's Coat

As usual, I had to read this a few times before it changed from confusing to touching (and I had to look up 'indite' in the dictionary). But then I saw it captures how God takes our suffering and changes it, does something with it:

Wounded I sing, tormented I indite,
Thrown down I fall into a bed, and rest:
Sorrow hath chang’d its note: such is his will,
Who changeth all things, as him pleaseth best.
     For well he knows, if but one grief and smart
Among my many had his full career,
Sure it would carry with it ev’n my heart,
And both would runn untill they found a bier
     To fetch the body; both being due to grief.
But he hath spoil’d the race; and giv’n to anguish
One of Joy's coats, 'ticing it with relief
To linger in me, and together languish.
     I live to show his power, who once did bring
     My joys to weep, and now my griefs to sing.

Calvin: treasure in heaven

I love the way he puts this:

We ought then to imitate what people do who determine to migrate to another place, where they have chosen a lasting abode. They send before them all their resources and do not grieve over lacking them for a time, for they deem themselves the happier the more goods they have where they will be for a long time. But if we believe heaven is our country, it is better to transmit our possessions thither than to keep them here where upon our sudden migration they would be lost to us. But how shall we transmit them? Surely by providing for the needs of the poor; whatever is paid out to them, the Lord reckons as given to Himself (MT.25:40). From this comes that notable promise: "He who gives to the poor lends to the Lord" (PROV.19:17). Likewise, "He who sows bountifully shall reap bountifully" (2COR.9:6). For what is devoted to our brothers out of the duty of love is deposited in the Lord's hand. He, as He is a faithful custodian, will one day repay it with plentiful interest. Are our duties, then, of such importance in God's sight that they are like riches hidden for us in God's hand? And who would shrink from saying this, when Scripture so often and openly attests it?

Institutes, 3.18.9 (Battles p.827)

Calvin: sorrow

Repentance will produce confusion, groaning, displeasure with self, but...

...we must remember to exercise restraint, lest sorrow engulf us. For nothing more readily happens to fearful consciences than falling into despair. And also by this strategem, whomever Satan sees overwhelmed by the fear of God he more and more submerges in that deep whirlpool of sorrow that they may never rise again. That fear cannot, indeed, be too great which ends in humility, and does not depart from the hope of pardon. Nevertheless, in accordance with the apostle's injunction the sinner always ought to beware lest, while he worries himself into dissatisfaction weighed down by excessive fear, he become faint.

Institutes , 3.3.15 (Battles p.608-9)

Which also I think fits well with a great passage in 1 Samuel 12:

And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.” And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself.

Providence

Understanding and applying the doctrine of divine providence will be absolutely essential for any church leaders...One reason is that an understanding of providence will help them to fight the temptation to despair, or give up, in the face of the challenges ahead.

Reeder, From Embers..., p168-9