“The true Christian is the only happy man, because he has sources of happiness entirely independent of this world. He has something which cannot be affected by sickness and by deaths, by private losses and by public calamities — the ‘peace of God, which passes all understanding.’ He has a certainty laid up for him in Heaven; he has a treasure which moth and rust cannot corrupt; he has a house which can never be taken down.
His loving wife may die — and his heart feel torn in two;
His darling children may be taken from him;
He may be left alone in this cold world;
His earthly plans may be crossed;
His health may fail —
But all this time he has . . .
A portion which nothing can harm,
One Friend who never dies,
Eternal possessions beyond the grave —
Of which nothing can deprive him! His lower springs may fail — but his upper springs are never dry. This is real happiness.”
( J. C. Ryle)
[Ryle wrote this from experience: his first two wives died young leaving him with four young children to care for by himself.]