The Beauty of Affliction

Posted by Linda L. Johnson on Wednesday, October 26, 2011

So what's so beautiful about affliction?  Just think, without affliction we may not of had our current President, Mr. Obama.  So disturbed by the United States troublesome state of affairs, it moved him to toss his name on the presidential ballot with a mission of making change.

So what's so beautiful about affliction?  It was because of injustices and hardships, amongst classes of people that Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., came from behind his pulpit of preaching; compelled to advocacy.  Becoming a prolific voice on behalf of equality and civil rights.

So what's so beautiful about affliction?  Without affliction the world may not have ever heard of individuals such as Helen Keller, American author, activist, and lecturer.  Additionally, the first deaf blind person to graduate from college, or, Anne Frank, Diarist.

It was at the expense of affliction, and/or their concern and connection to pain, adversity, and distressing situations that these individuals brought about great gains on behalf of others.  Without affliction, chances are you may not be reading about them on this page today.

It's human nature of the beast that people lust for money, power, fame, a mighty anointing and glory.  But these things many times often come with a sacrifice, or a great price, that price is called affliction.  It is rarely a pain free ride to greatness.

So what's so beautiful about affliction?  Christ, the (anointed one) endured severe affliction.  Thank the Lord he did.  Yes indeed, because he endured affliction, and ultimately death and resurrection, you and I, as Christ followers, have become benefactors thereof.

So what's so beautiful about affliction?  Biblical scripture indicates a writer (possibly Ezra) of Psalm 119, who drifted from the commands of his heavenly father.  It was only because the father loved him so much that he apparently used affliction to draw him back, close, to himself.  In so doing, the writer now concludes, "before I was afflicted I went astray, but now have I kept thy word.”  A few verses after which he further adds, "it was good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your ways."  Wow!  He said that it was “good” for me.

In scripture we clearly see that at times the children of Israel went through much turmoil and affliction. Because of it, they understandably would become discouraged, discontented and even complained.  Was it God’s fault?  Or, had they somehow forgotten they made the choice not to adhere to the leadership, commands or ways of the Lord, nor hearken to the voice of his priests and prophets, his ministers if you will.

So what's so beautiful about affliction?  Sometimes it is the "only" way to learn the Lord's ways, which is always for our overall good.  Yes, like it or not, his ways are always best!  Through it, may we learn and maybe even echo the writer of Psalm 119 in saying, "it was good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your ways."  Now this is indeed, the beauty of affliction.

Psalm 119:67,71 ◆ Jeremiah 29:11 ◆ Genesis: 41 ◆Romans 8:28



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