Affliction is any form of distress, suffering, stress,pain,obstacles or limitation we undergo as believers. It amounts to anything or circumstances that pose a challenge or trial to our faith. In every journey of life, there is bound to be one or two hiccups, which serves as a challenge to everyone that would get to his or destination.
Honey, the route or road that leads to heaven our final destination is rough, rugged and narrow. Then, it suggests that the road that leads to your earthly destination will not be different from this. For every step to greatness and fulfilment of our destiny in Christ, we are bound to fce afflictions.
Thus every pain, lack, opposition, obstacle, conflict, delay, rejection, relegation and all forms of suffering on the pathway to destiny is affliction. The psalmist began to say: Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the lord delivereth him out of them all psalm 34:19. This portrays that our righteousness does not stop affliction from coming to us.
And to this, Apostle paul added: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonment, in tumults, in labours, in watching, in fastings 2 corinthians 6:4-5
We are approved as ministers of God with the way and manner we react to all of the above. And in reacting to all these, Apostle paul re-stated: But watch thou in all things , endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry 2 Timothy 4:5
Endurance should be our attitude to afflictions. We should be able to bear and overcome them. In discharging our God given assignment and toeing the steps to our destiny, we would obviously encounter afflictions.
Just like you,i have asked myself to what purpose? In reacting to this, Apostle paul began to say: For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory 2 Corinthians 4:17
The point being made is that as painful, stressful or devasting as our affliction might be, they are obviously working for and not against us. They are simply a strategy to bringing out our best and taking us to the next level in life.
Thus, affliction bring addition, stress may provoke strenght, trials can lead to triumph, tests can lead to testimonies, obstacle can breed testimonies, oppositions may necessitate position, tension can provoke attention, contention will result to extension, mountain may spring forth fountain,scars can produce stars, weeping may be converted to reaping, shame can provoke gain, poverty can translate to prosperity, while your cross can be rewarded with crown.Glory. Apostle paul began to say: For this thing I besought the lord, thrice, that it might depart from me. 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. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I stron 2 Corinthians 12:8-10.
Honey, whenever you are weak or afflicted that is when your strength popes out and for every story lies your glory. Apostle paul to the roman:For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us Romans 8:18
Dear, glory awaits you. Every trial will definitely culminate in triumph and victory. Now, do receive the word...with much affliction, with joy in the Holy Ghost 1 Thessalonians 1:6, as this will bring out your addition. Glory!