I don’t like affliction.  I don’t like it when my family or friends experience affliction.  But I also realize that we live in a fallen world and we will experience affliction and hardship.   The Psalmist gives us God’s perspective when we face affliction,

It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.  (Psalm 119:71)

Later on he reflects on the truth that God’s word enabled him to endure his affliction,

If Your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction.  (Psalm 119:92)

It’s interesting that affliction led him to God’s word and then God’s word preserved him in his affliction.   Sometimes it is in the desert of Sinai that you find the mountain of God.

C.S. Lewis writing in The Problem of Pain wisely observes, “We can ignore even pleasure.  But pain insists upon being attended to.  God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

Years ago in the navy I learned that smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.   In your life you’ve probably noticed that the roots grow deep when the winds are strong.

I am learning that God designs what we go through, but we decide how we go through it.  Viktor Frankl in his classic book,  Man’s Search for Meaning, writes,  “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing:   the last of human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ”  I am learning  that adversity can produce Godly character and endurance,

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; (Romans 5:3-4)

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  (James 1:2-4)

Adversity feels you’re taking the test before you’ve finished studying.  Life doesn’t get easier but you get stronger.  The Apostle Paul puts our earthly affliction into perspective,

For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,  (2 Corinthians 4:17)

May you realize that the sufferings of this present age are not even worthy to be compared to the glory that will one day be revealed to us.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

Follow me on twitter:  rickhiggins5