(The following principles are summarized by Sinclair Ferguson from the writings of John Flavel)

• God is in control of his universe.
• God is working out his perfect purposes.
• God is not my servant.
• God’s ways are far more mysterious and wonderful than I can understand.
• God is good — all of the time; I can trust him — all of the time.
• God’s timetable is not the same as mine.
• God is far more interested in what I become than in what I do.
• Freedom from suffering is no part of the promise of the Christian gospel.
• Suffering is an integral part of the Christian life.
• God works through suffering to fulfill his purposes in me.
• God’s purposes, not mine, are what bring him glory.
• God guides me by enabling me to read his providences through the lenses of his word.
• I have few greater pleasures than tracing the wonders of God’s ways.