While life is full of trials and afflictions, Christians are the only people who have the proper perspective on how to turn these negatives into great positives. For you see while no one wants afflictions the believer in Christ understands that not only are they a necessary part of life but they, when viewed properly can bring great joy and meaning!
A. W. Pink had the best way of viewing affliction when he shared: “Afflictions are light when compared with what we really deserve. They are light when compared with the sufferings of the Lord Jesus. But perhaps their real lightness is best seen by comparing them with the weight of glory which is awaiting us.”1
Let’s look at several verses of Scripture to see what made Pink share such an amazing statement. Below is my cost/benefit analysis.
(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.”
Since Jesus has overcome the world we can have great peace through our tribulations and afflictions since when we are close to Jesus we get peace that passes all understanding because we too 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.”
Since we know that trials are part of the Christian experience and that God sends them our way to try and test us to build up our faith in Jesus we can relax knowing that they actually help us draw closer and more dependent on Jesus – and what can be more wonderful than that!
(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.”
When we realize that all things – including afflictions – work for good we can welcome them and get excited that God will bring blessings out of these trials and ultimately we can bring Jesus glory as we endure them. And bringing Christ glory is the greatest blessing I can think of!
(Psalm 119:71): “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.”
Afflictions are one of the greatest ways that we can learn the deep things about the Christian walk. They help us learn the secret of trusting God in all situations and nothing pleases the Lord or can give us more joy than our growing faith in Christ.
(James 1:2-4): “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
My friends, for the believer, joy and affliction are really two sides of the same coin. And when we understand that God uses the crucible of affliction to increase our faith, and make us more useful in helping to build up the Kingdom, joy should automatically flood our soul.
(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.”
When we understand that present suffering will bring glory to our Savior now and will reverberate for all of eternity how can we not get excited!
(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.”
When we show obedience to God by enduring our afflictions and investing in His Kingdom, and do as (Matthew 6:20) says: “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal,” we literally guarantee ourselves an investment which has eternal compounding. We are told in (2 Corinthians 4:17) when we endure the momentary light afflictions in our lives, by being obedient to God’s Word, we will see this investment in the Lord’s work producing for us, “…an eternal weight of glory…” Imagine having a bank account which has as its value, “an eternal weight of glory!” Yes, obedience to God is not easy – but the rewards are simply out of this world!
These verses clearly tell the Christian that suffering and affliction are part of the package of being a disciple of Christ. For the Christian, sadly, without understanding that God always has a purpose in suffering, he or she can become bitter at God, especially if tragedy strikes when we believe we are doing the will of God.
In conclusion, while there is a cost to having to endure affliction as a Christian, the benefits far outweigh the costs!
1Quote by Arthur W. Pink: “Afflictions are light when compared with what w…” (goodreads.com)