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Inspirational Sermon Illustrations on Resilience
Explore powerful illustrations on resilience. Discover stories, analogies, humor and more as you bring your sermon to life.
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A Terrible Accident
When John Stuart Mill—the influential philosopher and political economist—arrived at Thomas Carlyle's door that evening, his face drained of color, bearing the devastating news that the manuscript of The French Revolution's first volume had been destroyed by fire, Carlyle's immediate response was to ease his dear friend's anguish. Mill, who had been helping Carlyle review the work, was devastated by the accident.
Despite their very different philosophical outlooks—the two Victorian intellectuals maintained a close friendship built on mutual respect and shared literary interests. Carlyle dismissed the catastrophe as though it were merely a minor inconvenience, though he didn't actually have a backup of his original work. Mill was so distressed that he even paid Carlyle compensation for the trouble he had caused. During this period of crisis, Carlyle recorded these words in his personal journal:
If only I possessed true faith! If only such grace were mine! Then no burden would prove insurmountable, no trial too severe to bear. Let your soul cry out for this gift in the deepest chambers of your heart. Surely the Almighty will grant what you seek. Whatever the case, it feels as though my unseen teacher has destroyed my schoolwork upon examination, declaring, "This will not suffice, child! You must craft something far superior." What choice have I, in my grief, but to submit—to yield completely and accept this as providence? Back to the task I must go; and may the Lord stand beside me, for this world offers no comfort. Forward, by His holy name!
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