Psalms 119:71  “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.”

This seems like a very strange statement to such a pleasure seeking, indulgent, pampered generation like our own.

In many of our churches we have been taught almost the exact opposite.

It is implied and sometimes said outright that God will not let us suffer or go through tribulation.

But that line of thinking is unbiblical.

Jesus said, “…In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Gods Word says that His children are appointed to afflictions. {I Thessalonians 3:3}

“Affliction is one of God’s medicines. By it He often teaches lessons which would be learned in no other way. By it He often draws souls away from sin and the world, which would otherwise have perished everlastingly.
Health is a great blessing, but sanctified disease is a greater. Prosperity and worldly comfort, are what all naturally desire; but losses and crosses are far better for us, if they lead us to Christ. Thousands at the last day, will testify with David, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted.”- J.C. Ryle {1816-1900]

“How would the great work of sanctification go on in a person — if they had no trials?
Trouble is often the only fire which will burn away the dross which clings to our hearts.
Trouble is the pruning-knife which Christ employs in order to make us fruitful in good works. The harvest of the Lord’s field is seldom ripened by sunshine only. It must go through its days of wind and rain and storm.” – J.C. Ryle  {1816-1900}

God sometimes teaches us by affliction.

“Very little is to be learned without affliction. If we would be scholars we must be sufferers. There is no royal road to learning the royal statutes; God’s commands are best read by eyes wet with tears.” – C.H. Spurgeon {1834-1892}

“Assurance grows by repeated conflict, by our repeated experimental proof of the Lord’s power and goodness to save; when we have been brought very low and helped, sorely wounded and healed, cast down and raised again, have given up all hope, and been suddenly snatched from danger, and placed in safety; and when these things have been repeated to us and in us a thousand times over, we begin to learn to trust simply to the word and power of God…”- John Newton, Author of Amazing Grace {1725 -1807}

Affliction causes us to pray more.

Under the rod we are more likely to cry out to God.

Affliction causes us to exercise our faith and increases our faith.

Under affliction we look toward another world.

Afflictions help us to understand that we are pilgrims and strangers in this world.

Afflictions make us humble. They drive us to God.

“Affliction is but our shepherd’s dog; he comes not to devour us, but to drive us to the fold.”

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”  {I Peter 5:6-7}

God “…cannot fail or forsake. He can smite rocks, and open seas, and unlock the treasuries of the air, and ransack the stores of the earth. Birds will bring meat, and fish coins, if He bid them. He takes up the isles as a very little thing; how easily, then, your heaviest load, while there is nothing so trivial but that you may make it a matter of prayer and faith.” – F. B. Meyer {1847-1929}

“LOSSES AND CROSSES ARE FAR BETTER FOR US, IF THEY LEAD US TO CHRIST.” – Brother Shawn

Good thoughts and quotes on Affliction: Every Mans Monitor,  pages 12-22