It is not death or pain that is to be dreaded, but the fear of pain or death.

Albert Schweitzer, a century or more ago, used another strong image. Jesus, he said, was like a man convinced the wheel of history was going to turn in the opposite direction. He waited for this to happen, but it didn't. Then he threw himself upon the wheel, and it crushed him—but it did indeed start to turn in the other direction.

The heart was made to be broken.

If through a broken heart God can bring His purposes to pass in the world, then thank Him for breaking your heart.

Suffering doesn't so much change your heart as expose what has been in your heart all along.

and made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar, and with all kinds of work in the fields. Every service they imposed was harsh.

The elders of his household stood beside him to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them.

But stretch out Your hand and strike all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face.”

And Job took a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself as he sat among the ashes.

My skin and flesh cling to my bones; I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.

What use to me was the strength of their hands, since their vigor had left them?

He throws me into the mud, and I have become like dust and ashes.