Rejoicing in Affliction

[teresaq]

It does seem that the more I am able to rejoice in affliction the easier it is on me. Still. I don't know that I would be able to respond as this person:

Quote

I have seen the extreme vanity of this world: One hour I have been in health, and

wealthy, wanting nothing. But the next hour in sickness and wounds, and death, having

nothing but sorrow and affliction.

 

Before I knew what affliction meant, I was ready sometimes to wish for it. When I lived in prosperity, having the comforts of the world about me, my relations by me, my heart cheerful, and taking little care for anything, and yet seeing many, whom I preferred before myself, under many trials and afflictions, in sickness, weakness, poverty, losses,

crosses, and cares of the world, I should be sometimes jealous least I should have my portion in this life, and that Scripture would come to my mind, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every Son whom he receiveth" (Hebrews 12.6). But now I see the Lord had His time to scourge and chasten me. The portion of some is to have their afflictions by drops, now one drop and then another; but the dregs of the cup, the wine of astonishment, like a sweeping rain that leaveth no food, did the Lord prepare to be my portion. Affliction I wanted, and affliction I had, full measure (I thought), pressed down and running over. Yet I see, when God calls a person to anything, and through never so many difficulties, yet He is fully able to carry them through and make them see, and say they have been gainers thereby. And I hope I can say in some measure, as David did, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted." The Lord hath showed me the vanity of these outward things. That they are the vanity of vanities, and vexation of

spirit, that they are but a shadow, a blast, a bubble, and things of no continuance. That we must rely on God Himself, and our whole dependance must be upon Him. If trouble from smaller matters begin to arise in me, I have something at hand to check myself with, and say, why am I troubled? It was but the other day that if I had had the world, I

would have given it for my freedom, or to have been a servant to a Christian. I have learned to look beyond present and smaller troubles, and to be quieted under them. As Moses said, "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord" (Exodus 14.13).

Finis

Since I am going through yet another trial of faith, I find this both a reminder and encouragement.

http://wwnorton.com/college/history/america-essential-learning/docs/MWRowlandson-Autobiography-1682.pdf

[JoeMo]

Sometimes I think affliction is God allowing satan to "test" us.  But I don't think it's necessarily God trying to "chasten" or discipline us..  Sometimes, it is God saying "Have you considered my servant (put your name here)?  Satan says "withdraw Your hand and let me test him/her".  God tells satan (go for it"; because God knows how faithful we really are to Him; and our faithfulness defeats satan.  Any defeat to satan is a victory for God.

[joeb]

teresaq,

I like your post.  I have a slightly different viewpoint but I agree with you in what you say about the quote you gave about affliction. 

To me the ability to rejoice in affliction is related directly to faith.  Why?  Because it is faith that allows us to know without a doubt that "all things work together for good" in the lives of God's people.  It is faith that allows us focus on where we are going rather than on the percieved difficulties of the path God has chosen for us.   It is faith that allows us to know that the affliction of today leads directly to heaven and that whatever it is we face today God has given it to us as a blessing.  It's not always easy to remember that in the here-and-now, but like Ellen White said, my paraphrase, we have nothing to fear except when we forget how God has led us in the past.

[Raphael]

Rejoicing is the end spectrum.. The other end of the spectrum is not giving up.. Trodding with pain of the cross and crown of thorns to bear.. The often mention stamina race for long long painful paths.. As long as not fainting, which means not giving up..