While in prayer last week, I began to thank God for my afflictions. I thanked Him for all the difficult things that I had been through in my life. As I went further into worship, I began to better understand the importance of my afflictions. I began listing the events that broke me, and I praised Him for it.
That prayer experience was just what I needed. I had been asking God for some time what I should write about for this post. While in worship, while I was thanking God for my afflictions, I heard him say, “Tell my people.” He wanted me to share with you that there is purpose in your affliction!
Psalm 119:71 (NKJV) reads, “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn Your statutes.”
In this scripture, David is addressing God and thanking Him for the troubles he had been through. Earlier in this passage, David says that before he was afflicted, he went astray (v. 67). Before he knew God’s statutes, before he knew what was required of him, he did not live according to the will of God and he did his own thing.
This concept is also true in understanding intrinsic needs. If I had lived a rich life and had never gone without, how could I understand the needs of the poor? Similarly, if I had never been homeless, how could I understand what it’s like to be homeless? How would I know what homeless people need? (Which, by the way, is much more than just a home. But, we’ll get into that in a later post.)
I know that affliction is difficult while we are in the midst of it, but the glorious part is that it doesn’t last forever. We may go through hardship for a time, but it won’t last always. Many people give up in the middle of affliction. They commit suicide because they become overwhelmed by their trials and don’t realize that the trial WILL NOT LAST.
If you would realize that it’s just a little trouble and it won’t last for long, you can endure and eventually get through it.
When I was in middle school, I was bullied by two separate groups of girls. For whatever reason, they disliked me and felt that they needed to tell (or show) me every day. I went home every one of those days wondering why they didn’t like me. What did I do to offend them? What did I do to deserve the way they were treating me?
I never told anyone about the bullying. I kept it all in and acted as if everything was okay. But, inside I was in pain. I felt alone and weak and unloved. I hated going to school and thought that no one would listen or care if I told them that these girls were bullying me.
One day, I had a terrible headache and grabbed a bottle of Tylenol. After pouring out the two capsules I intended to take, I began to wonder what would happen if I took them all. I definitely wouldn’t have to worry about those girls bullying me anymore. I poured the pills out of the bottle until my hand was full, and I forced them down my throat 3 to 4 at a time. I laid down and closed my eyes thinking, “It’s over.” And I thought it was.
To my surprise, I woke up several hours later. I felt like I had just taken a long, refreshing nap. But I also felt silly. What had I just done? Why? Who were those girls that they could push me to suicide?? How dare I allow them to control me like that??!!
I woke up a new person! I realized the value of life. I realized MY VALUE!
I recently heard Bishop T.D. Jakes give a similar testimony about a childhood suicide attempt (surprisingly, in the same way! It’s what encouraged me to tell my story) and he said if he could talk to his young self he would say, “You little fool, you almost messed yourself up!”
I would tell my young self the same thing!
What I didn’t know that day is that upcoming events would ensure that those girls never bullied me again. Had I killed myself, I would have never realized that freedom. Had I succeeded, I wouldn’t have experienced this amazing life, full of wonder, accomplishments, failures, and mistakes. I would have never met my 7-month-old niece or seen my nephews become teenagers. I would have never had the opportunity to meet my step nieces and nephew. In fact, I wouldn’t know any of them at all.
I would have never served in the Marine Corps, or gotten married, or met and made many amazing friends. I wouldn’t be here, sharing this with you this right now, proving to you that there is still life after affliction.
God has so much more for us! So much better than what we can see in those dark and hurtful moments!
One of my favorite scriptures is John 16:33 (NKJV). In this scripture, Jesus encourages us saying, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
This passage energizes me! Though Jesus warns us of tribulation, He also promises us victory! We have no need to worry because Jesus has already fought the battle and has already won! All we need to do is patiently endure our trial. Then, when it’s over, we can walk confidently in our victory!
Watch my YouTube video about experiencing affliction here.
Writing about my afflictions, whether it's in my personal journal or here on this blog, helps me to heal, forgive, and let go. What do you need healing from? Sickness, hurt from a past relationship, financial struggles...? Who do you need to forgive?
Tell me about the hurt or trial that you are struggling with in the comments below or email me at experiencelifewitherika@gmail.com. I will pray with you for healing from your afflictions.
Once we have healed, we can begin to recognize the importance of our afflictions and the lessons behind them. Only then can we be strengthened and empowered and victorious! And able to find the purpose of our lives, hidden in our life experiences.
For now... Be Blessed!
-Erika!
Bible photo courtesy of royaldoors.net.
Photo of Israel courtesy of James and Sierra Savannah.
That prayer experience was just what I needed. I had been asking God for some time what I should write about for this post. While in worship, while I was thanking God for my afflictions, I heard him say, “Tell my people.” He wanted me to share with you that there is purpose in your affliction!
In this scripture, David is addressing God and thanking Him for the troubles he had been through. Earlier in this passage, David says that before he was afflicted, he went astray (v. 67). Before he knew God’s statutes, before he knew what was required of him, he did not live according to the will of God and he did his own thing.
This is true for most of us. When we don’t know who we are and what is expected of us, we tend to just drift along and become lost in our own wayward desires. What we need most is correction and direction. And, believe it or not, both can be found in our afflictions.
I’ve learned that afflictions give us strength and help us grow. Without afflictions, without experiencing difficulties, how can we appreciate when life is smooth and easy? If I had never experienced sickness, how could I have appreciated my healing? If I had never experienced divorce, how could I know what a successful marriage is supposed to look like?
This concept is also true in understanding intrinsic needs. If I had lived a rich life and had never gone without, how could I understand the needs of the poor? Similarly, if I had never been homeless, how could I understand what it’s like to be homeless? How would I know what homeless people need? (Which, by the way, is much more than just a home. But, we’ll get into that in a later post.)
I know that affliction is difficult while we are in the midst of it, but the glorious part is that it doesn’t last forever. We may go through hardship for a time, but it won’t last always. Many people give up in the middle of affliction. They commit suicide because they become overwhelmed by their trials and don’t realize that the trial WILL NOT LAST.
If you would realize that it’s just a little trouble and it won’t last for long, you can endure and eventually get through it.
When I was in middle school, I was bullied by two separate groups of girls. For whatever reason, they disliked me and felt that they needed to tell (or show) me every day. I went home every one of those days wondering why they didn’t like me. What did I do to offend them? What did I do to deserve the way they were treating me?
I never told anyone about the bullying. I kept it all in and acted as if everything was okay. But, inside I was in pain. I felt alone and weak and unloved. I hated going to school and thought that no one would listen or care if I told them that these girls were bullying me.
One day, I had a terrible headache and grabbed a bottle of Tylenol. After pouring out the two capsules I intended to take, I began to wonder what would happen if I took them all. I definitely wouldn’t have to worry about those girls bullying me anymore. I poured the pills out of the bottle until my hand was full, and I forced them down my throat 3 to 4 at a time. I laid down and closed my eyes thinking, “It’s over.” And I thought it was.
To my surprise, I woke up several hours later. I felt like I had just taken a long, refreshing nap. But I also felt silly. What had I just done? Why? Who were those girls that they could push me to suicide?? How dare I allow them to control me like that??!!
I woke up a new person! I realized the value of life. I realized MY VALUE!
I recently heard Bishop T.D. Jakes give a similar testimony about a childhood suicide attempt (surprisingly, in the same way! It’s what encouraged me to tell my story) and he said if he could talk to his young self he would say, “You little fool, you almost messed yourself up!”
I would tell my young self the same thing!
What I didn’t know that day is that upcoming events would ensure that those girls never bullied me again. Had I killed myself, I would have never realized that freedom. Had I succeeded, I wouldn’t have experienced this amazing life, full of wonder, accomplishments, failures, and mistakes. I would have never met my 7-month-old niece or seen my nephews become teenagers. I would have never had the opportunity to meet my step nieces and nephew. In fact, I wouldn’t know any of them at all.
My 7-month old niece, Israel... So glad I'm not missing this sweet face!! |
God has so much more for us! So much better than what we can see in those dark and hurtful moments!
One of my favorite scriptures is John 16:33 (NKJV). In this scripture, Jesus encourages us saying, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
This passage energizes me! Though Jesus warns us of tribulation, He also promises us victory! We have no need to worry because Jesus has already fought the battle and has already won! All we need to do is patiently endure our trial. Then, when it’s over, we can walk confidently in our victory!
Watch my YouTube video about experiencing affliction here.
Writing about my afflictions, whether it's in my personal journal or here on this blog, helps me to heal, forgive, and let go. What do you need healing from? Sickness, hurt from a past relationship, financial struggles...? Who do you need to forgive?
Tell me about the hurt or trial that you are struggling with in the comments below or email me at experiencelifewitherika@gmail.com. I will pray with you for healing from your afflictions.
Once we have healed, we can begin to recognize the importance of our afflictions and the lessons behind them. Only then can we be strengthened and empowered and victorious! And able to find the purpose of our lives, hidden in our life experiences.
For now... Be Blessed!
-Erika!
Bible photo courtesy of royaldoors.net.
Photo of Israel courtesy of James and Sierra Savannah.
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