SD 3201, 3231 - the permission and care of the Lord

SD 3201
So that I might know how and why the Lord
sometimes permits spirits in the other life
to undergo such punishments and torments as they do,
I was let into the supposition
as if a certain very friendly spirit
would be brought into most severe punishments . . ..
And then I was held in that supposition
that if he did not undergo the most grievous kinds of punishments,
he would never become good.
In that state of mind I was held with the conviction
that it would be impossible for him to become good
unless he were thus tempered.
In that state I was unable to feel at all sorry for him,
much less come to his aid,
for I had at heart the good that would come of it,
which I was constantly being inspired to turn over in my mind.
From this I am able to know
how the Lord permits such punishments, even severe ones,
because He turns everything into good,
intending nothing else but good,
and it is the means for that spirit's reformation.
(September 19, 1748)

SD 3231
I was overcome with sleep after the noon hour, and quite a sound sleep.
When I awoke there were many around me asleep,
even spirits who had wanted to entrap me were sleeping deeply,
thus all those who came with the intention of harming me.
When they awoke, they said they had slept;
and one after the other fled away,
one saying that he had not meant to fall asleep;
I sensed that he had wanted to do harm.
Consequently I spoke with the spirits,
saying that the Lord alone watches over all,
even His enemies, and does good to them.
(September 21, 1748)