Life is full of afflictions whether you are a Christian or a non-believer. But for the Christian afflictions are often opportunities for blessings. Now don’t get me wrong nobody wants to go through trials and tribulations but in the economy of God they often serve a valuable purpose.
As an example, consider that Joseph when he was sold into slavery and then sent to prison on false rape charges never wavered in his trust in God. And as a result, we read perhaps the greatest verse in the Bible, on how God turns afflictions into blessings – (Genesis 50:20): “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” Joseph’s brothers had evil intentions, but God used it for good.
The key verse to understanding how God can turn tragedy into triumph, is (Romans 8:28): “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Even when we can’t make any earthly sense in why God would allow a young child, for example, to die of cancer, we can trust that God has a purpose in why He allows it to happen. Our role, when tragedy strikes as a Christian, is to trust that God will pull us through the trial and then use us to bless others and bring glory to God in the process.
Notice what we read in (Psalm 119:71): “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.” Afflictions and trials are often the tools that God uses to test our faith, produce patience and endurance, and to allow us to draw nearer to Him. God allows afflictions to help us learn God’s word and thus accrue wisdom, peace, and the ability to bring Glory to Jesus, in the process. Another way of looking at this is that afflictions and trials allow us to build our Christian character and flex our spiritual muscles and thus become more like Christ. Remember that life is our training grounds for eternity.
Afflictions often come our way when we want to serve Christ but be of good cheer because we read: “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12). We are told here that despite being reviled and persecuted for Christ’s sake that we can rejoice for “great is your reward in heaven.”
Not only that but the Apostle Paul shares that our present afflictions cannot compare with our future glory in Christ for we read: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18). But we can also enjoy present blessings as we endure the afflictions that all Christians are guaranteed to go through. The reason is that when we view trials and sufferings for Christ’s sake as opportunities to bring glory to God how can we not rejoice for being allowed this incredible privilege. Outside of knowing Jesus I can think of no greater blessing than to be used by God to glorify His name.
Joy now and the privilege to be an ambassador for Christ should motivate us to endure the afflictions that are simply part of the package of being a Christian. And when we add heaven to the picture, I challenge you to find a better deal. So, the next time you have to endure a trial for the sake of the gospel remember that Jesus has a treasure chest of blessings awaiting to shower you with!