Some Christians are sadly prone to look on the dark side of everything. They dwell more on what they've suffered than on what God has done for them. Ask them about the Christian life, and they'll catalog their continual conflicts, their deep afflictions, their crushing adversities, and the sinfulness of their hearts—with scarcely a mention of the mercy and help God has lavished upon them.

But a Christian whose soul is in a healthy state will come forward joyously and say, "I will speak, not about myself, but to the honor of my God! He has brought me up out of a horrible pit and out of the miry clay! He set my feet upon a rock and established my steps! He has put a new song in my mouth—praise to our God! The Lord has done great things for me, and I am glad!"

This is the testimony every child of God should present. Yes, it's true that we endure trials, but it's just as true that we are delivered out of them. Yes, we have our corruptions, and mournfully do we know this, but it's equally true that we have an all-sufficient Savior who overcomes these corruptions and delivers us from their dominion.

Looking back, it would be wrong to deny that we've been in the Slough of Despond and crept along the Valley of Humiliation. But it would be equally wicked to forget that we've been through them safely and profitably! We have not remained in them, thanks to our Almighty Helper and Leader, who has brought us out into a wealthy place.

The deeper our troubles, the louder our thanks to God, who has led us through all and preserved us until now. Our griefs cannot mar the melody of our praise—we reckon them to be the bass part of our life's song: "He has done great things for us, and we are glad!"