Oswald Chambers thought for the last two days:

When circumstances press, say, "Speak Lord"; make time to listen.

Chastening is more than a means of discipline, it is meant to get me to the place of saying "Speak, Lord"

Never ask the advice of another about anything God makes you decide before Him.  If you ask advice, you will nearly always side with Satan.  "Immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood."

Personal holiness is an effect, not a cause, and if we place our faith in human goodness, in the effect of Redemption, we shall go under when the test comes.

Paul had not a hypersensitive interest in his own character.  As long as our eyes are on our own personal whiteness, we shall never get near the reality of Redemption.  Workers break down because their desire is for their own whiteness, and not for God.  God cannot deliver me while my interest is merely in my own character.  Paul is unconscious of himself, he is recklessly abandoned to God.