“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivered him out of them all.” Psalms 34:19
The subject of the affliction of the righteous is something we do not hear about. I can remember how it was thought that a Christian would have an easy life. That they would not have to suffer pain and distress, but this is not true. If Moses, Job, David and even the apostle Paul had suffered afflictions, then you can be sure that no one is exempt from experiencing afflictions. Many people question what is the reason or purpose for our afflictions? The good news is that God will deliver the righteous out of all afflictions as stated in Psalms chapter 34, verse 19.
Afflictions can come in many forms such as physical pain, mental anguish, distressed by an oppressor, and natural calamities. Afflictions is the condition of being inflicted either by physical or mental pain. Today, people go through all kinds of distress or pain that is caused by incidents from unknown sources, other people, and natural disasters. We may wonder about the purpose for our afflictions. Depending upon your walk with God, afflictions can be the discipline brought on by God. This discipline will help in correcting, molding, or perfecting our character to the image of Christ. Those who are proud in their righteousness need to take heed on how they act out that righteousness. One thing about going through afflictions is that someone is always pointing a finger at you. We must remember about God’s sovereignty, and He has complete power and authority over those who believe in Him.
Being arrogant about what you have as a Christian is not a good Christian character. Our example is in Christ alone; thus, we have another meaning for our afflictions and that is to lower our position and humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord. We need to realize that our afflictions can built up our faith along with correcting our attitude. A man’s fortune or misfortune is not always proof of his moral character. Rather, it is the conviction in his heart and his confession of faith that hold him steady in his devotion to God despite going through afflictions. Thus, Job received a double portion back from the Lord when he prayed for his friends who accused him.
“And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also, the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Job 42:10
Our afflictions should not focus entirely on what has happened to us as an individual, but also on those around us for they do not understand God’s desire and will for our own life. Afflictions can either bring the best or the worst out of us in how we react to them based upon our own limitations in what we believe. We need to mature and grow into the image of Christ. We are disciplined by God to receive revelations of our own character along with the character of others. The one main thing we must do during our afflictions is to pray. That is what the Lord told Job and it is also what James said in chapter five, verse 13, “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray.”
We have a High Priest who is able to sympathize with our sufferings and therefore we can draw near to the throne of grace to receive mercy and grace when we need it, [see Hebrews 4:15-16]. Whether it is the rod of correction or the refining of our own character, our God is ever present in every situation we find ourselves in.
“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, and settle you.” 1 Peter 5:10
Whatever pain or discomfort you are experiencing, remember that it is only temporary. Let us have patience to endure. In Job chapter 5, verse, 17 states that “happy is the man whom God corrected: therefore, despise not the chastening of the Almighty.” We are being changed into His image and this is to the glory of God. Just look at what the apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians chapter six.
“But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, 7By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left.
2 Corinthians 6:4-6
Remember that you are not alone when going through afflictions. Pray to God about it and ask for help, and then pray for your friends. God will provide a way out of your afflictions.
“In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.”
Psalms 86:7
In the day when trouble comes knocking on our door, will we call upon the Lord? Any kind of trouble can happen to where you do not have any control over. What do you do about it? These days troubles seem to be all around us where we live. All kinds of troubles have even moved into our neighborhoods where we live. The Hebrew word for trouble is “akar” and it means to stir up or to disturbed. We may find ourselves disturbed by what we see around us. Sometimes we may find ourselves involuntary being disturbed by outside sources that have invaded our environment. I have experienced an outside source that invaded my environment in my home on Labor Day weekend. Four and a half hours’ worth of sonic kick drums and screaming from several bands that was hired to play during Labor Day festivities. This was on the school field bordering our property. Our house was rattled to the point where our dog became disturbed to having an anxiety attack. My ears were pulsating to the point of having a headache. Since I am a musician who produces music, I am aware of how decibel levels can damage one’s ears. I wondered how our neighbors faired during this time. The loud music can definitely stir up a negative response. Not everyone thinks about the health of others when planning a community event.
I share this experience because it is not often talked about how one event can affect those in a negative way rather than in a positive way. Those who suffer through such an experience may not have control over the cause of an event taking place. We have to take it to the Lord in prayer. What do you do when your peace is disturbed? One answer is to flee the scene. During times like this we may not realize what trouble we are in. We just react to the environment. Our environment may consist of lawlessness, shootings, and certain kinds of other disturbances. This is trouble that causes pain and suffering. Consider Job’s words, “Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward,” [see Job 5:7]. The sparks are the flames of discontent and bitterness. Anger and disappointments cause trouble and is often passed onto those whom we love. Those who are stirring it up are also in trouble of losing their peace and communion with God. The fall of Adam is the human condition we are exposed to on a daily basis. Therefore, we must take a time out and tend to the meaning of life itself. Praying, and remembering what the word of God says will help us to adjust our position as a child of God.
“The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.”
Proverbs 11:17
We must attend to our own soul and spirit by feeding upon the word of God. Those who are cruel are troubling their own body with pain. At the end of verse 23 in Proverbs chapter six, states that, “reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” We need the wisdom of God to understand how we may do good to our own soul. We also read in Proverbs 7, verse 10, the importance of receiving “instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.” Wisdom is better than riches. God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,” [see 1 Corinthians 1:30]. We must know where our help comes from, and it comes from the Lord. I was stunned at the following verse in Proverbs chapter 25.
“A righteous man falling down before the wicked is like a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.”
Proverbs 25:26
Falling down before the wicked in disgrace is not what the Lord wants. What is lacking is the Holy Spirit conviction. A troubled fountain is where the living water cannot spring forth freely. Something has blocked the flow of the spirit of God. Get back to God and plead your case. Just listen to David’s confession. Falling down before the wicked also ruins our testimony that we have in Christ. The Lord knows every feeling we have and the pain of our physical and mental weaknesses. We must come “boldly unto the throne of grace, where we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in our time of need,” [see Hebrew 4:16]. Come to the Lord in your time of need. Cry out like David and confess.
“Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly. For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.”
Psalms 31:9-10
Confession to the Lord is the cleansing of the heart and soul of unwanted bitterness, anger, disappointment, pain, and suffering. If you are at your wits’ end, then cry out to the Lord God like David. Like David, some of us have had years of sadness and tiredness where our strength has failed.
“I am desolate and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.”
Psalms 25: 16-18
Take your troubles to the Lord. The Lord will bring you out of all your suffering from anxiety, sorrow, and pain. Proverbs chapter 11, verse 8 states that the righteous is delivered out of trouble. We must confess our sins and forgive ourselves as well as those around us. When we are in trouble remember that when you “cry unto the LORD in the day of trouble, he will bring you out of your distresses, [see Psalms 107:28]. God sent his word, and delivered them from their destructions, [see Psalms 107:20]. In the name of Jesus, He will deliver you out of your own destructions and the destructions of others in the day of trouble.
