492 The Spiritual Man
he rejoices in relinquishing everything. Whatever the Lord deems
necessary to withdraw, he gladly allows His hand to do it. The
sighing, mourning and grieving which arose out of his former
anticipation, seeking and struggling have today entirely disappeared.
He realizes that the loftiest life is one lived for God and one obedient
to His will. Though he has lost everything yet is he satisfied with the
fulfillment of God’s purpose. Though he is left with nothing to enjoy,
yet is he humble under the ordering of God. So long as the Lord is
pleased he cares not the least what happens to him. He now has
perfect rest; nothing external can any longer stimulate him.
Presently the child of God abides by a will which is united with
the Lord. His volition, today filled with spiritual strength, is
competent to control his emotion. His walk is steady, firm, restful.
His former situation of ups and downs has vanished. Even so, we
must not now rush to the conclusion that henceforth he shall never
again be ruled by emotion, for before we enter heaven itself such
sinless perfection is not possible. Nonetheless, in comparing his
present state with his former condition, this one can indeed be
described as experiencing rest, being established, and continuing
firm. He suffers no further from that incessant confusion he
encountered heretofore, though occasionally he may still be disturbed
by the operation of his emotion. That is why watchful prayer
continues to be indispensable. Let us therefore hasten to add: do not
misunderstand what has been said to mean that from here on there
shall be no possibility of feeling either joy or sorrow. As long as our
organ for emotion is not annihilated (it never will be), our feeling
shall continue to exist. We still can sense pain, blackness, aridity and
sorrow. Yet those sufferings can penetrate our outer man only,
leaving our inner man untouched. Due to the clear division between
spirit and soul, outwardly our soul may be disturbed and
consequently suffer but inwardly our spirit remains calm and
composed as though nothing had happened.