How Can The Lord Help Us In Times Of Affliction?

The following are some suggested responses to afflictions:

1. Let the Lord take away the pain of your afflictions. Paul writes, "Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows."2 Cor. 1 :4,5)

2. Believe that the Lord will use the affliction for some greater good. Paul writes, "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes. (Rom. 8:28)

3. Thank God for the ways that He will use the affliction for building Godly character in you. James writes,"Consider it pure joy when you encounter trials of many kinds knowing that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Let endurance have its perfect work that you may be complete lacking in nothing. (James 1:2,3)

4. Follow the example of great men like the apostle Paul who turned affliction to his advantage. Paul writes, "As sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as beaten down and yet not killed, as being poor yet making many rich; having nothing and yet possessing all things. (2 Cor. 6:5-10)

5. Draw nearer to God in prayer through times of affliction. David writes, "O Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me. (Psa. 7: 1,2) O Lord, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death. (Psa. 9: 13) Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. (Psa. 16: 1)

6. Ask the Lord to fight your battles and it will relieve your stress. David writes, "Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me." (Psa. 35: 1)

7. Ask the Lord for a special portion of His mercy, love and protection. David writes, "Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord; may your love and your truth always protect me. For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me and I cannot see, They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. Be please, O Lord, to save me; O Lord, come quickly to help me. May all who seek to take my life be put to shame and confusion. (Psa. 40;11-13) Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. (Psa. 120:2)

8. Use every affliction as an opportunity to let the Lord show His mighty power on your behalf. One day Matthew observed, "Christ's disciples came to Him afraid that they would drown and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us, we are perishing." (Matt. 8:25)

9. Allow affliction to show you where you are lacking in faith and knowledge. Matthew writes about Peter, "But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, "Lord, save me," (Matt. 14:30)

10. Follow the example of Christ who responded correctly to afflictions. Matthew writes, "And He went a little farther and fell on His face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but let your will be done. (Matt. 26:39)

11. Realize that God allows afflictions for His purposes that are beyond human understanding. John writes, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, said Jesus, "But this blindness happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." (John. 9:3)

12. Remember how God used an affliction with Paul to keep him humble. Paul writes, "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me, but He said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Cor. 1:8,9)

13. God allows affliction to show our need for help from Godly leaders. James writes, "Is any of you afflicted, let him pray. Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him. (James 5: 13)

14. Remember that no one has endured afflictions like Jesus. "Consider Him who endured such suffering of sinners against Himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds." (Heb. 12:3)

15. God may use afflictions for our corrections, refinement and improvement. One psalmist wrote, "I know, O Lord, that you judgments are right, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. (Psa. 119:75)

16. Be confident that your afflictions will build Godly character and a greater sense of eternal hope in you. Paul writes, "But, we rejoice in our tribulations, knowing that tribulations works patience, and patience works proven character, and proven character hope. (Rom. 5:3,4)