Afflictions and the Christian Life

Today’s article is intended for encouraging and strengthening the people of God. Webster 1828 defines affliction as “the state of being afflicted; a state of pain, distress, or grief.” Afflictions are common to all men, though they vary from one person to another. Even the righteous servants of God sometimes go through afflictions. Psalm 34:19 states that “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.”

The Year 2020 was that which would remain in peoples’ memory for many years to come due to the afflictions that the world experienced with the covid crisis. At the time of this writing, over 117M people have been infected with the COVID virus worldwide, over 2.6M have died, and many are still stick. That’s without talking about the other losses resulting from the pandemic. There isn’t going to be an end to pain, distress, and grief in this world.

Today’s Text:

Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.

Handling Afflictions and Pains

So how should we all handle this? For the people of the world, there is no lasting hope. Even the rich cry at times. Riches and wealth cannot solve all the problems of this Age. But for God’s people, that is, the genuine believers in Christ, there is blessed hope, there is a strong tower, a shield and buckler. Today’s text teaches us just how to handle afflictions, whether natural or man-made.

There are three things we are encouraged to do, and all three are contained in today’s text, Romans 12:12. These will only work for the followers of Christ, the true believers. In case you are yet to be one of them, I have provided at the end of this article the way to establish that eternal relationship with Christ. Do not delay in making that decision because that is the prerequisite for applying the solutions offered here.

The Christian life often goes in the reverse direction to that of the world. At least that is how it is designed to work. While the unbelievers (and sadly the believers who are yet to know their God) panic in affliction, the mature believers rejoice in hope. The Bible says “the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits“ – Daniel 11:32. So what exactly does it mean to rejoice, and what is this hope all about?

Rejoicing is more than just being happy for a moment. It is a divine call to be joyful always. It is experiencing the joy that cannot be affected by our circumstances. This joy comes from being satisfied with what we have in Christ, that is, the hope, and not sorrowing about what we do not have, or cannot do, or the pains that we are experiencing in this life.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Rejoicing is more than just being happy for a moment. It is a divine call to be joyful always.

The Hope of Eternal Life

The hope is that of eternal life and the glory which have been granted to all who have received the gospel. In this, we can rejoice and be satisfied by the expectation of our future blessings which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began (Titus 1:2).

The hope of the believers can be broken down into three major blessings of the gospel:

1. The love of God and pardon for sins, these have been received by all who believe in Jesus Christ:

• John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
• Romans 5:1 –  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2. The continuous supply of grace and the fact that all things will work together for our good:

• 2 Corinthians 12:9 –  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
• Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

3. The sure future resurrection and the enjoyment of God’s presence for all eternity:

• 1 Corinthians 15:19-20 – If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 ¶ But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 – For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

This is the promise of the gospel, and if you are in Christ, you can rest on them today, especially the blessed assurance that you will spend eternity with Christ in a world devoid of lack, pain, distress, and grief. The hope transcends any affliction that can arise against the believers in Christ, as well as any of our worldly achievement and possessions which are only temporary anyway.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

Romans 5:2-3 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience.

Titus 2:13-14 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

1 Thessalonians 5:16   Rejoice evermore.

See also: Psalm 16:9-11; Proverbs 10:28; Hebrews 6:17-19.

Tribulation is anything that brings discomfort or that is hurtful to us. As I’ve mentioned already, the Christian life is not intended to function as the worldly life. In the world, the usual response to tribulation and afflictions is murmuring, fear, worry and panicking, cutting corners and cheating our ways out of the hardship.

But this is not the case for the believers. They are admonished to patiently endure affliction and all that may come with it. The Christians are able to do this by keeping their future glory in mind (see above). There will come a time when we will no longer suffer and all our tears will be wiped away from our eyes. This is a sure promise of God in His words.

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

What it means to be Patient

The Godly response to tribulation is first of all not to murmur against God, or point accusing fingers. We are not to live in fear and hopelessness. We must remember that we weren’t given the spirit of fear, and to also remember our blessed hope. Be diligent and instant in prayers as you wait for the move of God. And of course, do all that is Godly and humanly possible to address the situation.

Even when our loved ones pass, the Bible encourages us not to sorrow like those without hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Why We Must be Patient

Like the usual worldly response, we must not cut corners or use unlawful means to get ourselves out of problems. Many are quick to lie and cheat, but it must not be so with the believers in Christ. We must patiently wait on the Lord for His move.

If afflictions befall the Christians, God either commands them or allows them to happen. This speaks to His sovereignty, at least for those who still believe in the sovereignty of God. So if God allows it to happen, He must have a purpose for doing so. We ought to remind ourselves that everything that God does is to His glory. Which means even our afflictions and tribulations have the end of glorying God.

“Remembering that what you suffer as Christians you suffer for Christ’s sake; and it is to his honor, and the honor of your Christian profession, that you suffer it with an even mind.” – Adam Clarke.

We must remember His promise that with all temptations comes the way out. But the way out does not suggest that we cheat our way out of the problem or suffering. Notice “bear it” in the following verse. What “a way to escape” means is that God always makes sure that there is a way through which we may come out of affliction undamaged. At the end of the experience, it will be growth and maturity for us, and all glory to the name of God.

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

God promises a way out, but not some unlawful way to get out and seek easy life. We will still have to bear some things as the verse says, but in the end, we come out victorious and stronger. Afflictions are one of the most effective catalysts to the Christian growth. It will be unwise for the believers to flee that and pursue easy life instead.

Romans 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life.

1 Peter 2:19-21 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

Colossians 1:10-11 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.

Psalm 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

See also: Romans 5:3-4; Romans 15:4; Luke 8:15; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; 1 Timothy 6:11-12; 2 Timothy 3:10-11; Hebrews 6:12; 12:1-2; 2 Peter 1:6.

This means, be persevering in prayer. Prayer is the means by which we speak to God our heavenly Father. This can be done in adoration and worship to Him for all that He has done and continues to do. Prayers can also come in the form of supplication for what we need, or in intercession on behalf of others.

As children of God, we can boldly approach the throne of grace, and we have the freedom to open our heart to Him. Every Christian needs to have some time set aside to be alone with God in prayer. This is needful in order to perform the duties of living in joyful hope and dealing with afflictions and tribulations.

The Christians should commit to praying always as commanded in Scripture. The New Testament believers are not given specific or a number of times in which we could pray:

Psalm 62:8   Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.

Ephesians 6:18-19 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Colossians 4:2   Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

The early Christians understood this, they spent a lot time in prayers (See Acts 2:42, 46-47; 6:4; 12:5,12; Colossians 4:12). This is one of the reasons why God worked through them so much.

Replace Worry with Prayers

We must pray in faith. By that I mean we must be confident that God is able to do for us what we are asking, as long as we ask according to His will.

1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Our faith is not in how we pray, but in the God to whom we pray. We sometime pray about a situation, and still continue to worry about it after praying. Worry or doubt is the opposite of faith.

Praying is what God advises in the place of worrying. In Philippians 4:6-7, we find these words:

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Let the Will of God Rule

This is the part with which many believers struggle. That is, to say “if this is your will, give it to me, and if not, let your will be done.” For us, we want God to do for us what we want, and when we want them. But that is not always the will of God. There are times in which our struggles may be part of God’s plan for us, in which case He may not take them away immediately.

In other words, there could be times when God will not grant our requests (See 2 Corinthians 12:8-10), but we are promised that regardless of what happens, the peace of God, that is beyond comprehension, will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

Either way, we are not to worry about anything. Instead, we are to pray with thanksgiving about everything. Here is one thing though that will encourage you today. The Bible promises that if our requests are according to His will, they will be granted. Here is the text again:

1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

The secret to rejoicing always, even in tribulations, is first in keeping our hope in mind at all times. Secondly, we must remember that God is sovereign over all things. So if bad things happen to us, He either commands or allows it. Thirdly, whatever God allows to happen to a believer will have an end of maturing the believer and glorying God Himself.

Finally, we have unrestricted access to God through Christ. We can approach Him anytime with our heart desires, and we can be rest assured that we will be taken care of.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 10:19-23  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

If You’re Not Saved

If you are yet to be saved, you do not know Christ, or have no relationship with Him, there is no hope for you in tribulation. You do not have access to God or to His throne of grace. No one can get to God except through Christ. And worst of all, you may end up being separated from God for all eternity.

But you do not have to stay that way. You can establish that lasting relationship with Him today. Follow the link below to learn more.

Thank you for reading!