Saturday, October 30, 2010

Why Affliction?

Diane Bucknell shares some great thoughts on how Our Suffering of Illness is Meant to Go Far Beyond Just Us over at Rest Ministries. In part she writes,
The doctor said I would be better in 18 months. Having a young family to care for, that pronouncement was devastating. Little did I know it would be 10 years before I would feel reasonably well again and by that time the children were grown. I was bedridden most of the time for the first several years and depended on my family to help me with the normal daily activities like shopping and housework. My only outings for the first 2 years were to the doctor for weekly treatments. There were many times that I didn’t know how I could survive one more day of being so sick....

Psalm 27:13-14 was my lifeline of hope which I clung to daily:

“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see
the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the LORD.”

When God does one thing, He’s doing many things at the same time.

* Affliction drives us to dependence: “My eye has wasted away because of affliction; I have called upon You every day, O LORD” Psalm 88: 9.
* Affliction drives us to obedience: “Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.” Psalm 119:67.
* Affliction purifies us: “For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined.” Psalm 66:10
* Affliction is humbling: ” for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me–to keep me from exalting myself!” 2 Corinthians 12:7
Above quotes, © 2009-2010 Rest Ministries Chronic Illness Pain Support, All Rights Reserved. Read More at Rest Ministries - Chronic Illness and Pain Support.

Diane Bucknell came to know Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of 20. She resides in Carson City, Nevada with her husband Robert. They been married for 36 years and have 3 children and 4 grandchildren. They own Bucknell Arts, a fine art and mural painting business.

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