great necessities call out great virtues

"It is not in the still calm of life that great characters are formed...Great necessities call out great virtues."

That is what Abigail wrote in a letter to her husband, John, in 1780. This quote has become increasingly more significant in my life as I face difficulties of my own. From school stress, annoying teachers, my sister Jeny being diagnosed with a brain tumor, my sister Katie having to deal with serious complications after child birth, missing my sister Natalie immensely, and having to be on my own often because my mom is gone helping my sisters and my dad has work and church assignments. Sometimes I feel as if I just can't handle all that goes on in my life. This quote has been a reminder that even though this is an extraordinarily difficult time for me, it will be worth it. I will grow in ways that will help me throughout my life. I know that it will be okay, and that this will not destroy me. Romans 8:35, 37-39 says:

35Who shall separate us from the ^alove of Christ? shall ^btribulation, or distress, or ^cpersecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

37Nay, in all these things we are ^amore than ^bconquerors through him that loved us.

38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to ^aseparate us from the ^blove of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This scripture has been my support when I needed something to fall on. This scripture reinforced to me that nothing, not tribulation or distress will take me away from the love of God. God, and His son, will always be there. No other scripture has been more of a comfort to me.

Abigail's wisdom gave me a boost, took me away from wallowing. I knew she was right. And she knew what she was saying, because she endured so much more than I have. She taught me that I should persevere through my challenges, because they will improve my life, rather than shatter it. Because of Abigail, I am able to see the glass half full, rather than half empty.