IT IS GOOD FOR ME THAT I HAVE BEEN AFFLICTED;
That I Might Learn Your Statutes.
Pfsalms 119:71 (UKJV)
We are afflicted in so many ways every day. The cause of affliction will vary
- Our own negligence in duty
- Our carelessness
- Our weaknesses
- Our sicknesses
- Others’ envy on you
- Not getting enough results out of our labour
- Betrayal by others etc.
Whatever be the cause, God is concerned about us & our afflictions When we are in affliction, He also is affected with us.
Isaiah 52:5 (UKJV) Now therefore, what have I here, says the LORD, that my people is taken away for nothing?
As long as His children are with Him, He is happy. But when His Children are taken away, the Lord is also in pain.
While going through affliction, if the people cry out to Him, He hears and come down from heaven to protect them. He takes all measures to deliver His children . He brings changes in the whole scenario.
HE BRINGS THE REQUIRED CHANGES IN OUR LIVES TOO AND SHOWS US WHERE WE WENT WRONG, WHERE WE STOOD UNPROTECTED ETC.
He will also teach you more strategies of warfare,
How you fought this war, how you could have fought in a different way & taken victory, how you could have avoided certain situations, temptations by standing with Jesus, what precautionary steps you should take in future to avoid such situations etc. The outcome is, at present you are more equipped for a high level war with the enemy.
Then your whole life itself will be changed.
That is why the Psalmist said,
It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn your statutes.
Since I am living in Tamil Nadu, I learned Tamil. The Lord gave fluency in Tamil. Since I got saved & was conducted trainings in Tamil I started reading Tamil Bible. I was not fluent in English Bible verses . At a time the Lord asked me to use English Bible. 3,4 times I was prompted in my spirit to read Bible in English. But I discarded it wilfully. All of a sudden, I was taken all over India to share the ENHF vision. Speaking in English, especially quoting Bible Verses in English popped up as a big issue for me. If I had obeyed the Lord & used English Bible, by that time I could have easily rectified that problem. Anyway I thanked the Lord and begged him to forgive me. He solved it & gave me fluency in English. I became more alert to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. All glory to God .
Sr. Angelica AOJ