Thomas encourages us to go to the Lord when we are in trouble. To pray during the storms of life and afterward as well. He points out our weaknesses, and how these lead us easily into temptation. And while that is so, he points out that Christ is closest to us when we feel the furthest from Him.
However, there is victory through the path of our obstacles. God will not abandon us and may send trials our way to induce repentance and spiritual health. Whatever we receive from God is a gift: not to be coveted, but to share – it all belongs to Christ. Likewise, we should “count it all joy” (Jas 1:2) when we face tribulation.
Thomas calls us to imitate the saints in this fashion, by striving to live the life of a saint ourselves through strivings, contempt, labor, and to bring forth much fruit with patience.
Chapter 30, In Short.
1. The Lord is a stronghold in my day of trouble, go to Him when it is not well with you.
2. Nothing is too difficult for Christ: be patient and He will come.
3. Human nature is easily deceived about future things, and the sign of a weak mind is to be so easily drawn away by the enemy.
4. Do not think of yourself as abandoned, even though God has sent you some tribulation, for this is the way to the Kingdom of Heaven.
5. God gives us gifts of consolation, but these gifts are still belong to Him.
6. Never be sadly cast down because of adversity, but rather rejoice and give thanks.
The text of Chapter 30: Seeking Divine Help and The Confidence of Obtaining Grace.
Christ:
“My Child, I the Lord am a stronghold for you in the day of trouble, Come unto Me, when it is not well with you (Na 1:7).
“This is the thing which chiefly hinders heavenly comfort – that you take yourself too slowly to prayer. You first seek after many other means of comfort, and delight yourself in outward things before you seek Me earnestly. And so it comes to pass that all things help you only a little until you learn that it is I who deliver those who trust in Me. Nor is there any strong help outside of Me; nor profitable counsel, nor any enduring remedy.
But now, recovering courage after the storm, grow strong again in the light of My tender mercies (Ps 25:6), for I am at hand, says the Lord, that I may restore all things not only as they were at the first, but also abundantly and one upon another – above measure.
2. “Is anything too hard for Me? or shall I be like someone who promises and does not perform (Jer 32:27; Num 23:19)?
Where is your faith? Stand fast and with perseverance. Be long-suffering and strong. Comfort will come to you in due season.
Wait for Me: yes, wait – and I will come and heal you. Temptation is what troubles you, and a vain fear which terrifies you.
What does worrying about future events bring you, except sorrow upon sorrow? Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof (Matt 6:34).” To be disturbed or stirred up about future things which may never come is vain and useless.
3. “But it is human nature to be deceived by fancies of this sort, and it is a sign of a mind which is still weak to be so easily drawn away at the suggestion of the enemy.
For the devil does not care whether he deceives you and beguiles you by truth or falsity; whether he throw you down by the love of the present or fear of the future. Therefore, “let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (Jn 14:27).” Believe in Me, and put thy trust in My mercy (ibid).
Even when you think of yourself as far removed from Me, I am often nearer. When you reckon that almost all is lost, then often is greater opportunity of gain is found at hand. All is not lost when something goes contrary to your wishes. You ought not to judge according to present feeling, nor to take or give way to any grief which befalls you, as if all hope of escape were taken away.
4. Do not think of yourself as totally abandoned, even though for the time I have sent to you some tribulation, or have even withdrawn from you some cherished consolation; for this is the way to the Kingdom of Heaven.
And without doubt it is better for you and for all My other servants, that you should be proven by adversities, than that you should have all things as your inclination.
I know your hidden thoughts: and I know that sometimes it is very good for your soul’s health that you be left without comfort, in case you might be unduly lifted up by prosperity, or be desirous to see yourself as a success in that which you are not. What I have given I am able to take away, and to restore it again when I please.
5. When I give you consolation, it is still Mine. When I take it away again, I have not taken what belongs to you; for every good gift and every perfect gift is from Me (Jas 1:17).
If I send upon you grief or any trouble, do not be not angry, nor let your heart be troubled. I am able quickly to lift you up and to change your every burden into joy. For I am just and greatly to be praised, even when I allow this to happen to you.
6. If you rightly consider, and look upon it with truth, you will never be sadly cast down because of adversity, but rather will rejoice and give thanks. Yes, even to count this as the highest joy, that afflicting you with sorrows I do not spare you (Job 6:10). “As My Father has loved Me, so love I you (Jn 15:9),” thus have I spoken to My beloved disciples, whom I sent forth not into worldly joys, but to great strivings; not to honors, but to contempt; not to ease, but to labor; not to rest, but to bring forth much fruit with patience (Lk 8:15). My Child, remember these words.