Big Brother CJ Understanding Afflictions

Understanding Afflictions

Job 14:1

¹Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.

Another Glorious Day!

In life, there are a number of things you have no control over, like the weather, but you can control your attitude to life. About 7 years ago, i remember a major storm in Maryland with fierce winds and heavy torrents of rain. I had a speaking engagement, and when I walked in, someone said, “ Have you ever seen anything like this rain? What do you think about this stuff?” I replied, “It’s tough and a bad storm, but it’s a great day.” He said, “What? Are you crazy?” I said, “No, I’m not crazy. When I woke up this morning, I looked outside and I saw the rain and the storm and I said, ‘Wow! What a great day!’” He said, “What?” I said, “Yes, that’s right! See when I woke up and saw the rain, I was glad that I could see the rain. Somebody made a whole list of things they were going to do today, places they were going to go, meetings they were planning to attend, and friends they were going to visit . . . and they didn’t wake up! They cannot see the rain. I’m thankful every morning I wake up, because I’ve got another chance, another opportunity to and live my dreams. And because I have that opportunity, it is a great day!” RMSF & Friends, every day is a great day if you get another shot at life. Every day you wake up without a chalk outline around your body is a great day! Enjoy life! Live life to the fullest because it is ANOTHER Glorious Day

Understanding Afflictions

Afflictions according to Webster's Dictionary is defined as a state of pain, distress, or grief. It is a cause of mental or bodily pain, sickness or even loss. In this past year, if I were to take a poll, many of you would have the testimony that you have been through a huge wave of affliction. My goal in the New Year 2010 is not to sugar coat the turmoil and trouble that we've all experienced, but to help you to understand and to give you faith that will cause you to triumph.

The first thing that we must understand about afflictions is that they are a part of living. No matter how big, bad, or tough you are, afflictions are going to come. Because of the sin in the Garden of Eden by Adam and Eve, sin has become apart of life. Not only does is come by the great fall, but when you're born again, you will experience afflictions and trouble for Christ's sake. Although we will suffer these afflictions, our reward will be great RMSF Family & Friends Your Reward will be great . God has a way of taking your trouble, creating a miracle, and giving you a testimony.

Satan's ultimate goal is to silence the mouth of the believer. He knows that if he can stop your confession, he can stop your belief. Afflictions come to cause your faith to be stopped. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.

No matter what comes on the scene, remember to keep confessing. Keep saying what God says about you. No matter what you've done, keep your eyes on God. He's the only one that can deliver you in trouble.

I Peter 5:8-9

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

^{Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.}
It is important to understand that some afflictions come from Satan, but they are regulated and measured by God. Satan can only do those things that God allows him to do. God may allow him to afflict you, but know that the amount of the affliction and the length of time that you are in it is solely based upon the Lord. Sometimes you are in your afflictions longer because God is attempting to work out something on the inside of you. Satan will try to throw stumbling blocks in your path, but God will cause those stumbling blocks to raise you to a new altitude in Him. Just as Job, Satan can test you all he wants, but he can't kill you.

There are no new afflictions. The bible even tells us that there is nothing new under the sun. The same old tactics and schemes Satan used in the Garden of Eden, he's using those today. Temptation is one of Satan's ultimate weapons. We must understand that being tempted has a way of escape. Temptation happens by design; God will either fix the situation, or move it out of your way. Which ever way it goes, God has the ultimate say so. Once you understand this, fear should no longer be apart of your life. Defeat should no longer reign. Our Father is in the midst of every situation working it out for our good.

Psalm 106:43 - 45

Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. ^{44Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:}^{And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.}

Afflictions can make or break you. They have a way of showing us what we are capable of doing, or what we are made of. This is why it is so important in the day of our afflictions to turn our face towards God. He is the only one that can bring true victory. Many people faint in the day of adversity because of their strength being small. Our strength trust in Him to bring us through and the building up of ourselves on our most holy faith.

Prayer is your lifeline of deliverance during afflictions. No prayer, no connection to God. Remember, God is your only way out of trouble. All things happen for a purpose and reason. Nothing just happens. When you are afflicted, it has the same affect as if you were outside of God. It feels like everything is crumbling around you and that God is no longer with you. If you would just trust in God no matter what, he will make a way of escape for you