I came back across this poem from Elizabeth Prentiss today. Mrs. Prentiss suffered much and deals with this topic well in her poems. I like the honest assessment of grief and the move to triumph through the gospel.<\/p>\n
Christ Victorious<\/strong><\/p>\n Oh, days of sickness, grief and pain, But days of sickness, grief and pain, Come, then, wild troop of griefs and pains
\nWhat bring ye in your mournful train?
\nGray hairs, old age before its time-
\nThe breaking down of manhood’s prime,
\nThe trembling hand, the fainting heart,
\nBruises and wounds to throb and smart,
\nThe nerve unstrung, the sleepless brain;
\nOh, these come boldly in your train.<\/p>\n
\nDo these alone make up your train?
\nNot so! Not so! The ranks between
\nSubmission’s gracious form is seen;
\nSweet Patience ventures hand in hand,
\nWhile Faith, Christ’s honor to maintain
\nRides, dauntless, mid your hostile train.<\/p>\n
\nAnd riot on my Lord’s domains!
\nWhere you lay waste, another Hand
\nA firmer fabric long has planned;
\nWhat you destroy, Faith’s radiant smile
\nDeclares is for a little while;
\nAnd Christ Himself shall come to reign
\nVictorious o’er your helpless train.<\/p>\n