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Thankful for Afflictions

Thanksgiving.  A day when it is a time to be thankful, but sometimes when life is hard, it is difficult to utter a word of thanks.

How could I see good in these afflictions?

Broken relationships with my family
Hurt by Christian women
Struggled in ministry to stay afloat
Years of chronic and debilitating illnesses
Lost of our home (twice)
A Christmas season when we barely had money for food, let alone presents (again)
The inability to pay for our rental home and then having to move again
Living with another family because we didn’t have a place to go
Dealing with my own fears, insecurities, failures, depression and rejection

How do I say, “Thank you Lord, for this life?”

Only because of Him.  Only because of His promises.  Knowing that all things work together for good.

My afflictions have produced good seeds.

They have:

    • Strengthened my faith

 

    • Deepened my convictions and resolve

 

    • Brought me closer to Christ

 

    • Weakened me; causing me to cling to Jesus, to rely on His strength rather than my own

 

    • Given me the opportunity to watch for His hand of faithfulness upon my life

 

  • Allowed me, a broken vessel, to be used by Him even though I am unworthy

 

When the seeds of affliction come falling down into the soil of your life, friend, let the Gardener pour His Living Water over you so you can produce good fruit.

 

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  John 15:5

 

 

 

Producing Good Fruit

 

Yes, afflictions are hard in the physical sense, but good for us spiritually.

 

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:11-13

 

 

Thankful for my afflictions because without them, I would remain more like me: sinful, selfish me, rather than more like Him.

 

Be thankful for your afflictions too, friend, because they can produce good fruit in your life as well!

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.  Hebrews 13:15

Live a poured out life for the Master,
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