Incline the tossing of your heart to the firm foundation of the word of God and force your soul to submit itself there to His wisdom. Remember that through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ your affliction is not lacking in purpose; rather, it is productive, working in you the kind of character and maturity that will soon give rise to hope (v. 4).

“And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance…” (Rom. 5:3, CSB)

Introduction

One of the frightening aspects of affliction is the grim and needling thought that our affliction may never end; that, contrary to our wishes in the moment, there may not be any immanent relief from the weight of grief, pain, sorrow, or anguish pressing upon us every waking hour. In such times, the mind easily runs wild, imagining countless scenarios in which our suffering has been allowed to continue unchecked and has, like a weed, choked every last drop of light and life and joy.

We imagine ourselves several years down the road, still harassed by the same persistent ache.

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