Islands and Tribulation- Madison Flowers
While
reading through John Donne’s Devotions, two quotes caught my attention in Meditation
17.
“No
man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a
part of the main.”
“Tribulation
is treasure in the nature of it, but it is not current money in the use of it,
except we get nearer and nearer our home, heaven, by it.”
These
are two of his most famous quotes. I know I have heard them many times before
now. But you know, certain things are popular for a reason. I think many people
can find peace and comfort in these words. To know that no one is alone, no
matter how lonely they may feel is a true comfort, especially if that person is
up until 4:30 in the morning writing a research paper on a pretty depressing topic
and all she wants to do is go to bed but she cannot find the right words for
her paper but she refuses to give up but she is still really tired and running
out of fight but the paper is due the next day so she cannot quit. The first
quote above can hold a lot of comfort to that person…. (I’m fine I promise,
everything is all good). The second quote reminds me of the verse James 1:2-4
that says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various
kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And
let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete,
lacking nothing.” Tribulation teaches us lessons and produces wisdom, so in a
way, tribulation is valuable, just like treasure. It is important to learn from
the hard times and remember that you are never alone.
commented on Zelda and Breanna's posts
The idea of tribulation being a good thing is something hard to accept, but true. Satan does not want to torment someone who has no power over him. If you are just living your life doing no work for the greater good, then you are no threat to him. But, if you face trials and hard times, it means you are doing something right. He wants to stop you from whatever good you are doing--to cause you to question your faith and consider turning back. I think Donne recognizes this. When things get tough, usually means you are doing something right. Just like your paper ;).
ReplyDeleteWe always look at trials and tribulations as an insult of sorts, a slap in the face of all of our hard work to maintain sanity, but it’s the trials and tribulations that build us up. It’s the 4:30 am all-night slave labour that induces tears and black-outs. The trials make us are better in hindsight after we silence them with our winning actions.
ReplyDeleteI really like the first quote about the island. The fact that "every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main." We are never alone, as you said, even when we think we are. And I am glad to know that I'm not the only one in honors that stays up that late writing papers that I should have started way earlier than I did. I applied the idea of being a piece of something bigger to being brothers and sisters in Christ. I really do not know how to explain where I am going there, but I really enjoyed your post.
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