No cross, no crown. How can one be strong in the Lord without trials? To have strength we must have exercise. To have strong faith, we must be placed in circumstances where our faith will be exercised. The apostle Paul, just before his martyrdom, exhorted Timothy: “Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.” It is through much tribulation that we are to enter the kingdom of God. Our Saviour was tried in every possible way, and yet He triumphed in God continually. It is our privilege to be strong in the strength of God under all circumstances and to glory in the cross of Christ. {3T 67.1}

Intet kors, ingen krone. Hvordan kan en være stærk i Herren uden prøvelser. For at få styrke må vi arbejde. For at have stærk tro, må vi sættes under vilkår hvor vor tro anvendes. Apostlen Paulus formanede Timoteus, lige før sin martyrdom: »Men vær med til at lide ondt for evangeliet ved den kraft, Gud giver.« Det er gennem den megen trængsel at skal komme ind i Guds rige. Vor Frelser var prøvet i enhver mulig måde og dog sejrede han hele tiden i Gud. Det er vort privilegium at være stærke i Guds kraft under alle forhold og at fryde os ved Kristi kors.