Affliction Leads to Growth

When you hear the word afflicted or affliction, what is the first image that comes to your mind? For me I picture people being oppressed or a person experiencing some bodily pain like sickness.  I know you’ve heard the saying, “No pain – No gain”, but have you ever wondered if it was really true?  And, if you believe it to be true, do you have any proof to back up your claim? I believe I do!

Let me open this claim by sharing my very own testimony with you.  I clearly remember a time when I was afflicted, and in my adversity of pain my days and nights were running together, and I couldn’t tell where one day began and the next day ended.  In that place of pain, I looked to God for answers. I leaned on Him instead of others, and tried to understand how I ended up in such a lonely place in the first place. I hungered for His presence and His healing touch. I began to understand that if I ever had a chance of being rescued then I would have to embrace God’s Word (learn his statutes) and draw my strength from Him. I use Psalm 119:71 to back up my claim which reads “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes”.  Yes, in my pain I was forced to open my Bible and learn His statutes. Looking back, this turned out to be a good thing for me, and if you keep reading you’ll soon discover why.

While in my adversity the Lord put new songs in my heart. I had written songs before, but at some point I noticed that whenever I was afflicted that I would write my best lyrics.  My affliction allowed me to believe in my God Given song writing abilities/talents by drawing my inspiration from the pain/affliction/place where I had found myself, no matter how lonely it seemed, and sometimes it sure did feel lonely.  Today, I have gone on to write beautiful songs.  I went from a helpless seed that sprouted into an amazing being. YES, ALL WHILE IN PAIN.  In short, “I ACTUALLY GREW”.  I am a better songwriter today and I have beautiful songs to prove it. Also, I can honestly say that I am better equipped to find solutions to my problems, because I now have a better idea of where things are in my Bible.

Okay, now before I leave you.  I have one last piece of evidence to back up my claim that “affliction leads to growth.” “Look at the children of Israel. The more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew (Ex 1:12).” With that said, I believe my testimony and the scriptures presented to all of you is more than enough evidence to prove that affliction leads to growth. Therefore, don’t run from it, or wish it away. Instead, EMBRACE IT, because YOU TOO, MUST GROW!

Shalom!