Understanding Storms and Affliction – Part 1
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practiceis like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” – Mathew 7:24-27 NIV
“The righteous person may have many trouble but the Lord delivers him from them all;” – Psalm 34: 19,NIV
Affliction, challenges, storms, battles, troubles, sufferings, trials….same thing different names. My husband calls them ‘the Unknown-Unknowns of life’. You don’t bargain for it, you don’t ask for it, some of them might seem non-deserving…life happens!
It could be a job loss, a terrible sickness, death of a loved one, a natural disaster that renders you homeless, bankruptcy, the list goes on. Anything that throws a wrench or curve-ball on our life’s journey is an affliction. While everyone is speeding on the highway of life, you are forced to park on the breakdown lane for a little while. A little while.
No one is devoid of trials. In the parable of the builders, Christ painted a picture of 2 people building on 2 different foundations. They both built. Notice they both experienced the rain, the streams, and the wind. None of them was exempt from the impending storm. Jesus did not lay emphasis on the building materials. He focused on the foundation and what could happen if the foundation was not strong enough. I will equate the foundation to a person’s believe system.
King David, by God’s inspiration concluded that even the righteous were not exempt from troubles. In fact, he qualified the afflictions as ‘many’. On the flip side, no matter how many, deliverance is assured from God. We are not promised partial deliverance but total, full and complete deliverance. Hallelujah!
I pray for you today. No matter the storm, receive peace in the midst of it. Be delivered completely and walk in victory. Amen! Stay tuned for part 2
Be blessed.