Afflictions: August 23, 2010

Today's Word for Monday August 23, 2010

AFFLICTIONS

DEFINITION

A depressed or painful state; misery; a cause of mental or bodily pain as sickness or calamity.

SCRIPTURE

"My heart is in turmoil and cannot rest; days of affliction confront me." Job 30:27

"This is my comfort in my affliction, for your Word has given me life." Psalms 119:50

"For our light affliction, which is for about a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." II Corinthians 4:17

"Oh Lord my strength and my fortress, my refuge in the day of affliction." Jeremiah 16:19

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

It saddens us and moves us to compassion when we see children, young people and even adults face afflictions in their lives. All of us react when an affliction affects one of our family members but do we show concern for those many miles away that may have even greater afflictions come their way? The definition of the word "AFFLICTION' refers to the mental or body pain one may have in a sickness or a calamity.

When sin entered the world through the fall of Adam and Eve, affliction entered as well. Our minds and our bodies are now subject to suffering and pain. Some suffer greater afflictions than others. It is heart wrenching to see children born with physical and mental challenges as well as people suffering with cancer and with other diseases. Just as sad is to see whole families living in poverty. This is affliction as well. No matter if the affliction is large or small it is so easy for the victim to fall into despair and as Job said the "heart is in turmoil."

As believers in Jesus we face affliction with a different attitude than those who do not know Him. As Christians we can look beyond our affliction in this life with the hope of a life without affliction with our Lord. Our suffering in this life is temporary.

It is usually the case that when we are going through the tough times in life with our greatest afflictions that God does His greatest work through us. Afflictions should increase our reliance on the Lord. This gives us an opportunity to share with others the strength of our faith and allows God to demonstrate His power through us.

We had a dear friend who was afflicted with lung cancer. She used her time of affliction to testify to others of her faith and trust in the Lord. What a blessing and encouragement she was to us and too many others. Today she is in heaven walking the streets of gold with absolutely no afflictions.

We have a family member [Dottie's sister] that has been physically and mentally challenged all of her life. We know of no one who is more cheerful, shows more concern for others and is more generous. If she ever had had money she would have given it all away because she gets so much joy out of giving. In her limited capacity she is a testimony of her faith in the Lord.

We have witnessed so many situations of affliction that it would be very easy for us to become immune to them as they come our way. We continue to ask God daily to make us sensitive to those that face an affliction. Do you have that caring spirit and attitude? Almost daily a situation involving someone who is hurting comes our way and we try to help but we wish we could do so much more. We are limited, as you are, by our limited finances and even with not having enough time to help as we should. But one thing we can do is pray and do all we can to be a friend to that person.

It may be a relative or friend with cancer, a child without food, a man or woman that lost a job or a family that lost their house and is now homeless. The list can go on and on, but remember, we can pray, we can love, we can encourage and we can care.

When you are facing an affliction in your life, look for opportunities to let others see Christ in you. You will be surprised to see how much God will bless you and ease your affliction because you are thinking of others and not yourself.

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in Ephesians 6:10.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

PRAYER

Help me today to have a heart that shows concern for those facing affliction in their lives. Help me to praise You throughout this day for the many blessings You have given me and my family. Give me strength to live this day looking for the one place where I can make an impact on another person's life that is hurting and needs Your love.