All the afflictions, troubles and evils – Thomas Brooks

As the apothecary makes one poison to drive out another poison so can God make the poison of afflictions, to drive out the poison of sin. All the afflictions, troubles and evils which befall the people of God, work together for their good; for God uses these afflictions . . .
to reveal sin;
to prevent sin;
to embitter sin;
to mortify sin;
to revive His children’s decayed graces;
to exercise His children’s graces;
to increase His children’s graces.

I have read a story of Pereus, who, attempting to kill another with a thrust of a sword, only pierced and opened his abscess; and so he was instrumental to save him, whom he designed to have killed!

Just so, all the afflictions and troubles which the righteous meet with they do but serve to cure them . . .
of the abscess of pride, or
of the abscess of earthly-mindedness, or
of the abscess of self-love, or
of the abscess of hypocrisy.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28