"If you do not feel lighthearted and joyous, do not talk of your feelings. Cast no shadow upon the lives of others. A cold, sunless religion never draws souls to Christ. It drives them away from Him into the nets that Satan has spread for the feet of the straying. Instead of thinking of your discouragements, think of the power you can claim in Christ's name. Let your imagination take hold upon things unseen. Let your thoughts be directed to the evidences of the great love of God for you. Faith can endure trial, resist temptation, bear up under disappointment. Jesus lives as our advocate. All is ours that His mediation secures. MH 488.1"
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Both passages emphasize the importance of reflecting a positive and encouraging demeanor to others, so that they may be drawn to God. Matthew 5:16 speaks of letting your light shine, while the EGW passage warns against casting a shadow on others' lives.
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Both passages encourage focusing on Jesus and His example in the face of difficulties. Hebrews 12:2 speaks of looking to Jesus, while the EGW passage encourages directing thoughts to the love of God and the power available in Christ.
"truehearted workers to be left alone, to struggle against great odds and be overcome. He preserves as a precious jewel everyone whose life is hid with Christ in Him. Of every such one He says: “I ... will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee.” Haggai 2:23 . MH 488.2"
"In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the Lord, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts."
Ellen White directly references Haggai 2:23 in this passage.
"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God."
EGW directly quotes Haggai 2:23 in the same paragraph, and the phrase 'life is hid with Christ' directly echoes Colossians 3:3. The connection is strong and intentional.
"The Father's presence encircled Christ, and nothing befell Him but that which infinite love permitted for the blessing of the world. Here was His source of comfort, and it is for us. He who is imbued with the Spirit of Christ abides in Christ. Whatever comes to him comes from the Saviour, who surrounds him with His presence. Nothing can touch him except by the Lord's permission. All our sufferings and sorrows, all our temptations and trials, all our sadness and griefs, all our persecutions and privations, in short, all things work together for our good. All experiences and circumstances are God's workmen whereby good is brought to us. MH 488.4"
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
EGW's passage directly expands upon the principle stated in Romans 8:28, that all things work together for good. She elaborates on how this principle applies to various sufferings and trials.