Affliction

 

    Affliction is not what causes pain, but the time of pain.  It is when you are in pain, distress, grief, or anguish.  It affects your mind and body.  Psychologically it affects your emotions and your moods.  It is not pleasant, but it can produce good character.

    Joseph is a great example of someone who had affliction in life.  He brothers pretend that he is dead when they sold him into slavery.  He is smart, so he worked his way up to a job of prestige, but then the owners wife attacked his reputation because he rejected her.  He ended up in jail.  He gets out and works for the Pharoah, but the years of pain never disappeared.  They became a part of who he was.

    Joseph married an Egyptian woman.  He names his children over the past as redemption.  The first son was named Manasseh because "God made me forget my troubles".  It sounds like a vow to do right by his son.  His second son was named Ephraim because "God made me fruitful in this land of grief".  Joseph was vowing to forget the past to move on with his life.  God had allowed Joseph to become fruitful in the midst of his afflictions.

    Worshipping worthless idols cause affliction.  It is worshipping lies.  It brings God's anger and opens the doors for Satan to mess with your mind.  However, if you choose to trust and worship God alone, then you are able to see that he never stops loving you.  He knows your afflictions and will show you mercy.  He will give your anguished souls peace.  He will give you safety.

    God does not abandon anyone.  Hold onto your hope.  When affliction comes from people, then do not retaliate.  Accept what they do and pray for them.  There is a good chance that they do not have a relationship with Jesus.  If they do, then give the Holy Spirit time to convict them.  If you are under affliction, then remember God will not leave you there.  He will show you compassion and mercy.  He does not enjoy our pain or grief.

    Knowing God's character and how He protects His family, you can find peace and rejoice in your affliction.  Trials and tribulations will come, but if you stay true to God then you build endurance.  Endurance turns into strength that develops good character.  This will give you more confidence in your salvation.  It leads to a hope that will never disappoint because you understand how God loves you.  The Holy Spirit can thrive in your life.

    Never give up.  Life on earth is only so long, but eternal life is a very long time.  You will face affliction in life, but it will not last long if you are a follower of Jesus.  It will produce glory that will mean more than the affliction itself.  Don't focus on what is wrong now, but instead focus on the eternal life.  When you feel weak, find your strength in the Holy Spirit.  

Genesis 41:50-52, Psalm 31:6-8, Lamentations 3:31-33, Romans 5:3-5, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18