The Blessing of Affliction
“I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.“
Psalm 119:75 (NIV)
At first glance, today’s title doesn’t make sense.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines affliction as “a cause of pain, misery, or distress“. It defines blessing as “The bestowal of divine favour and prospering influence“.
So how can pain, misery, or distress be a blessing from God?
Some say that belief in Jesus is the cure for life’s difficulties, and (as long as we open our hearts to Him), all will be well. Some say that a loving God wouldn’t make His people suffer.
Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)
The spiritual truth is that only the road of suffering leads to eternal life.
“…do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?” (Hebrews 12:5-7 NIV)
If the Lord doesn’t reprimand us, it’s proof that we’re not His children. We need to be corrected by the Lord, or else we’d wander off the straight and narrow way.
“The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.“ (Proverbs 4:18 NIV)
Look at the cross to see that suffering brings incredible (and eternal) blessing. Through the unspeakable sorrows of our sinless Lord comes the richest possible blessing.
“For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.“ (Hebrews 12:2 NIV)
The Psalmist tells us that (as a faithful Creator) God afflicts His people. In other words, He wouldn’t be holy and just if sorrow didn’t come upon His children. It’s well known that the most well-balanced and happy children are those who are corrected by their parents, not those who have every whim indulged.
The Lord is too-loving a parent to allow us to be ruined by being spoiled. His gift to His children is the blessing of affliction. Never seek it, but when affliction comes from the loving hand of God, thank Him that He cares enough to use it to guide you (and keep you) on the right path.
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.“ (1 Peter 5:10 NIV)
“Submission to God’s will is perfectly compatible with intense and keen suffering under the chastisements of that will. Troubles in fact not felt, are no troubles at all. To feel trouble deeply, and yet submit to it patiently is that which is required of a Christian.“ J.C. Ryle