"If trials afflict thee not in thy longing to meet Me, how wilt thou attain the light in thy love for My beauty?"

 

photo by Margarete P.

O SON OF MAN!

If adversity befall thee not in My path, how canst thou walk in the ways of them that are content with My pleasure? If trials afflict thee not in thy longing to meet Me, how wilt thou attain the light in thy love for My beauty?

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, # 50 Arabic)
www.bahai.org/r/472999964

in memory of Dennis Cline

"Hasten thereunto that thou mayest become an eternal light and an immortal spirit."

 

photo by trina G.

O SON OF MAN!

My calamity is My providence, outwardly it is fire and vengeance, but inwardly it is light and mercy. Hasten thereunto that thou mayest become an eternal light and an immortal spirit. This is My command unto thee, do thou observe it.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #51 Arabic)
www.bahai.org/r/746355706

" ... should abasement come upon thee, grieve not ..."

 

photo by Margarete p.

O SON OF MAN!

Should prosperity befall thee, rejoice not, and should abasement come upon thee, grieve not, for both shall pass away and be no more.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #52 Arabic)
www.bahai.org/r/118018611

"If poverty overtake thee, be not sad ..."

 

photo by Trina G.

O SON OF BEING!

If poverty overtake thee, be not sad; for in time the Lord of wealth shall visit thee. Fear not abasement, for glory shall one day rest on thee.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #53 Arabic)
www.bahai.org/r/956386997

" ... forsake this mortal and fleeting sovereignty."

 

photo by Pamela S. 

O SON OF BEING!

If thine heart be set upon this eternal, imperishable dominion, and this ancient, everlasting life, forsake this mortal and fleeting sovereignty.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #54)

www.bahai.org/r/562190408

"... with fire We test the gold, and with gold We test Our servants."

 

photo by trina G.

O SON OF BEING!

Busy not thyself with this world, for with fire We test the gold, and with gold We test Our servants.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #55 Arabic)
www.bahai.org/r/561352140

"By My life! This is My knowledge, and that is thy fancy; how can My way accord with thine?"

 

photo by Margarete P. 

O SON OF MAN!

Thou dost wish for gold and I desire thy freedom from it. Thou thinkest thyself rich in its possession, and I recognize thy wealth in thy sanctity therefrom. By My life! This is My knowledge, and that is thy fancy; how can My way accord with thine?

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words #56 Arabic)
www.bahai.org/r/748392247