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  SWEETEN ALL YOUR BITTERS
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: The sermon emphasizes that all experiences can be sweetened
through the sanctifying grace of God, transforming bitterness into joy.

Topics: "Sanctification", "Finding Joy in Trials"
Scripture References: Psalm 119:67, Isaiah 61:3, Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Philippians 4:11-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, 2 Timothy 2:12, Hebrews 12:11, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-7

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound privilege of having a sanctified
heart, which allows all circumstances--whether trials or blessings--to
contribute to one's holiness. He reassures believers that every
situation, even those that seem bitter, can be sweetened through
sanctification, transforming hardships into opportunities for growth.
Brooks encourages Christians to recognize that their mercies, though
fewer or lesser than others, are still precious when sanctified. He
reminds them that every aspect of life, from daily sustenance to
personal belongings, is sanctified for the holy person, providing
comfort and joy amidst struggles. Ultimately, this understanding can
turn sorrow into joy and trials into triumphs.

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CONTENT
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"We know that God causes everything to work together

for the good of those who love God and are called

according to His purpose." Romans 8:28.

When a man's heart is once sanctified, then all things

are sanctified to him. O sirs! this is so great and so

glorious a privilege, that it is more worth than a world,

yes, than many worlds. It is a great mercy--that all

things may be sanctified to him--that is, that all things

may so work, as to make him more and more holy:

that every cross may make him more holy, and

that every comfort may make him more holy;

that every mercy may make him more holy, and

that every misery may make him more holy;

that every ordinance may make him more holy, and

that every providence may make him more holy;

that every affliction at home may make him more holy, and

that every judgment abroad may make him more holy.

Every condition is sweet when it is sanctified to us:

sickness is as sweet as health when it is sanctified to us:

weakness is as sweet as strength when it is sanctified to us;

poverty is as sweet as riches when it is sanctified to us;

disgrace is as sweet as honor when it is sanctified to us;

bonds are as sweet as liberty when they are sanctified to us;

death is as sweet as life when it is sanctified to us.

Look! as no condition can be a happy condition which is

not a sanctified condition--just so, no condition can be a

miserable condition, which is a sanctified condition. Now

this is only the holy man's privilege, the holy man's mercy

--to have every estate and every condition sanctified unto

him; and this indeed is the cream and crown of all our

mercies--to have them sanctified unto us, ay, and every

bitter will be sweet, yes very sweet, when it is sanctified

unto us.

What though your mercies, O Christian, are fewer than

others', and lesser than others', and leaner than others',

and shorter than others'--yet you have no reason to

complain, as long as your mercies are sanctified mercies.

What though . . .

your trials are greater than others', and

your burden is heavier than others', and

your sorrows are deeper than others', and

your crosses comes thicker than others'

--yet you have no cause to complain,

as long as they are sanctified.

Are you a holy person? Oh then remember for

your comfort, that . . .

every bit of bread you eat is sanctified, and

every draught you drink is sanctified, and

every suit of clothes you wear is sanctified;

the beds you lie on are sanctified, and

the stools you sit on are sanctified;

the very air you breathe in is sanctified, and

the very ground you tread on is sanctified;

every penny in your purse is sanctified, and

every dollar in your shop is sanctified;

whatever you have at home is sanctified, and

whatever you have abroad is sanctified.

Oh! how should the sense of these things . . .

sweeten all your bitters, and

turn your hell into heaven, and

wipe all tears from your eyes, and

turn your sighing into singing, and

your mourning into rejoicing, etc.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/sweeten-all-your-bitters/
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