Adversity: Blessing in disguise

Resolving Personal & Spiritual Matters

PSALMS 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.Contrary to what many believe, afflictions are often blessings in disguise. It is not a lie that there are many people who receive Jesus Christ and get born again at the 11th hour and enter heaven just like what happened to the penitent thief at the cross together with Christ.
The reason for the last minute salvation on deathbeds is the overwhelming pain and the uncertainty which looms in the great beyond.  Last minute or first minute salvation who cares; as long as someone is saved rest content. It is better to enter heaven last minute than to miss it in the last minute. But though it takes great affliction to get saved in the last minute, that affliction is a blessing in disguise.
 Most of us have listened eagerly to the testimonies of some prisoners from Chikurubi. During the narration of events leading to their arrest, trial and incarceration we feel pity for them. But when they themselves conclude by saying that their imprisonment was good because it led to salvation of their souls, the knowledge of God and positive change in their behaviour, we all rise up praising and worshipping God. Why? Because the affliction resulted in something very positive and desirable that could not be obtained before the affliction. In that sense the affliction is nothing compared with the resultant effect.
This is exactly why the suffering Apostle Paul wrote, “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). In other words, when affliction is taken or viewed in a positive way it leads to glory. And that is the hidden blessing being referred to in this whole argument. King David is regarded as the greatest king in the history of Israel.
 Not only is he that, he is also seen as the best representative of human beings living in fellowship with God. His character was an admixture and of both good and evil. It is easy for us believers of today to identify with David than with Daniel. David sinned and fell short of the glory of God, not only once but many times. And he received God’s mercy. But Daniel has no known sin recorded in Scripture. In that sense, He did not represent us but Christ Himself.
 David’s writings in the Psalms are a great source of comfort in afflictions. How did he learn the truths and revelations recorded in the Psalms? He learnt them most during times of afflictions after wandering away from God. His knowledge of God was deepened through afflictions.
 He revealed this truth in Psalms 119:67, 71, “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.”  It is a bold confession of one who has known the faithfulness of God in permitting affliction to drive us to a position glory.  But our human nature has an inclination to resist, avoid and pray away problems. We know the attendant challenges of discouragement, pain and sorrow that afflictions can bring. The truth is every sane and honest person who has experienced great afflictions wishes to be spared from any more afflictions.
However, despite our wishes, our hopes and prayers to avoid adversity, it always comes to us. In fact, the coming of adversity is as certain as the rising of the sun from the east. This fact makes it safe for me and others to conclude that problems are part of life. This conclusion is not without scriptural support. Job 5:6,7 say, “Although affliction cometh not of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out the ground;  Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.”  Anyone born of a woman will have trouble and tribulation here on earth (John 16:33). Only when we get to heaven shall we be totally and finally delivered from sorrow and pain. Revelations 21:4 says, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Even in the hereafter life only those who died in faith will have rest from afflictions. The unrepentant wicked souls suffer eternal punishment in hell fire.
Before reaching heaven, affliction is here to stay. Jesus has saved us from our sins and has made provision for the healing of sick bodies but He has not saved us from troubles. Troubles are allowed in our lives so we can desire the help of God, and what a great blessing is the help of God.
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