“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:”- 1 Peter 4:12
Afflictions are a certainty in life, and they can lead to uncertainty. Afflictions can cause anxiety, apprehension, anger, and insecurity. I said “can”, not “will” or “must”. As Christians we aren’t promised exemption from afflictions, but we are assured that we can endure them ( 2 Thess. 1:4-5). As John Wesley said, ” One of the greatest evidences of God’s love to those that love Him is, to send them afflictions, with grace to bear them”. Amen! We would never know anything about God’s saving grace had we never sinned and we would know nothing of His sustaining grace had we never suffered.
Like it or not, it is our lot in life to suffer a lot in life (Job 14:1). We can’t avoid afflictions, but we can choose how we will respond to them. Sometimes we don’t respond well. And sometimes our attitude toward afflictions can be more harmful than the actual afflictions themselves. It is common for people to get into a really bad state of mind when going through hard times. That can cause them to make some awful decisions. We say and do things that are unacceptable when we refuse to be accepting of our afflictions. But how do we accept them?
If we’re wise we will make preparation for our problems. If we don’t we won’t fare well when they come. To have protection from our problems we must prepare. Too many people wait until a crisis comes before they seek a solution. Not expecting it they are overcome by it. And there is usually no quick fix. The Word of God is powerful, but it isn’t a magical potion you can read and automatically be immediately delivered from your dilemma. Maturity isn’t manufactured in a moment.
Believers, however, can be greatly helped by hiding the Word in their heart. Doing so can provide them comfort and courage when the crisis comes. But you can’t wait until it happens and then get through it on command. It doesn’t work that way. However, when we’ve built up our faith by meditating on the Word it is amazing what it can get us through. It will cause us, like Paul, to see a blessing in our burden. We can rejoice in our trials when we know our all-wise, ever loving Heavenly Father has a reason for them and will use them for our good and His glory!– HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
