Our highest joys succeed our griefs

1. Our highest joys succeed our griefs,
And peace is born of pain;
Smiles follow bitter blinding tears,
As sunshine follows rain.

2. We gain our rest through weariness,
From bitter draw the sweet:
Strength comes from weakness, hope from fear,
And victory from defeat.

3. We reap where we have sown the seed;
Gain is the fruit of loss;
Life springs from death and, at the end,
The crown succeeds the cross.

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #4968