Affliction – everyone goes through it – it’s part of life. The question we must all face is why some people handle the difficult pain and trials in life well and why others find it impossible to cope with these negative circumstances. As I was reading Psalm 119 recently, a verse from this majestic psalm really struck me concerning how do deal with affliction: “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.” (Psalm 119:92).
As I meditated on this verse, I was struck with how the psalmist linked delighting in the Scriptures as the vehicle to help deal with the afflictions of life. I believe when a Christian delights in the holy Bible, the Holy Spirit will not only give that individual joy in all circumstances, but an amazing perspective and window into why He allows affliction to come our way.
I know for myself, I believe that when suffering and affliction comes my way I can trust God that He has a divine plan for ultimate good. And when I allow Him, He can use the suffering I go through as an opportunity to bring Him glory. As a result, I now use suffering, rather than grow bitter at God, but to grow more reliant and close to God. When I don’t fully understand why afflictions hit me, even when I am walking in the will of God, I now ask God to show me how can I use these negatives to bless others and make me a God glorifying vessel.
And the more I delight in the Scriptures the more peace and joy I experience during the storms of life. My friends over the years I have gathered some very special verses that I often meditate on to bring me comfort during the dark and difficult days when afflictions hit me hard. May the following verses help to fortify and encourage you when you are going through a difficult trial:
(John 16:33): “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
(1 Peter 4:12): “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.”
(Romans 8:28): “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.”
(Psalm 119:71): “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.”
(Romans 8:18): “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us..”
(2 Corinthians 4:16-17): “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
These verses clearly tell the Christian that suffering is part of the package of being a disciple of Christ. Even Ananias was told that the great Apostle Paul, in the clearest terms possible, should expect suffering as a Christian. For we read in (Acts 9:15-16): “But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
In conclusion because of sin, evil and suffering are now part of the world we live in. Our job as Christians is to allow God to use the suffering we go through to build up and advance His Kingdom. When we do this, we bring glory to His name and great joy to our account; and praise God eternal riches in heaven! And knowing this helps me to delight even more in the Scriptures and my Lord!