Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– George Macdonald
Afflictions Teach Us
This is certainly contrary to our natural mind, isn’t it? Afflictions are good? How so? The psalmist wrote that “it is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes” (Psalm 119:71). Notice that afflictions can teach us things, in particular, God’s statutes. Statutes are laws enacted by God Himself that declare, proscribe, or command something specific like loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself. Afflictions are necessary to humble us and help us to learn more about God. When we’re afflicted, we often run to the Word of God like a chick runs to its mother’s wings for protection. For me, afflictions often make me run to the psalms, and thus I learn more about God and His ways.
Afflictions Prepare Us for the Kingdom
Second Corinthians 4:17 says, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” Paul wrote this so that the church at Corinth would see afflictions in the perspective of the coming glory to be revealed and that no amount of suffering today can compare to what’s coming (Rom 8:18). This affliction prepares us for the coming glory, which we will finally see at Christ’s second coming, just as Paul stated, that “as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities” (2 Cor 6:4).
Afflictions Are Not Wasted
Everything that happens to us, both the good and the bad, works out for our best (Rom 8:28). No affliction is ever wasted, as Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ” (Phil 1:12-13). How so? Paul answers that it was “by my imprisonment [we] are much more bold to speak the word without fear” (Phil 1:14). Paul was chained to Roman guards, and each time there was a change of the guard, Paul had new guards to proclaim the gospel to and was all the bolder, so this advanced the gospel. Why? He was already in chains, so what more could happen to him when he told others about the Savior?
Not Surprised by Afflictions
Paul understood that all believers are appointed for afflictions, writing “that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know” (1 Thess 3:3-4). Paul writes that we’re destined for afflictions and that we shouldn’t “be moved by these afflictions.” Every believer will have them, but when they come, they are simply shadows of God’s wings for us to take refuge under.
Conclusion
There is no surprise when afflictions come. None of them are ever wasted. They prepare us for the kingdom, and they also help us run to God and His Word. Like the frightened little chick, they make us seek shelter under His wings, as He is a strong tower and shield to those who trust in Him
