It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.
Psalm 119:71 (NIV)
The Message translates this verse; “My troubles turned out all for the best — they forced me to learn from your textbook.” The literal translation is “good to me that I have been afflicted (the verb here is intensive action) that I might learn your statutes. “
When do we think, “Good to me” when we suffer? Affliction is not pleasant. It hurts, it goes against the grain, and it runs contrary to the philosophy of health, wealth, and happiness. That’s where our thoughts, our understanding, and sometimes our will struggle. Because, while God is focusing on eternity, we’re still stuck on the here and now.
Sometimes it takes affliction for God to get our attention. My husband will testify to that. In his words, “It took a push out of a tree and a thirty-six-foot drop to the ground for God to get my attention. But boy, am I glad He did!”
Though we may not see it this side of eternity, God’s plans are far greater than our momentary afflictions. So let us learn to pray “Good to me, LORD,” even if it goes against our thinking.
Because our Father loves us too much to leave us ‘unfinished.’
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Published by Renee Srch
Born to an American father and a British mother, Renée Srch grew up in France where she obtained her French Baccalaureate. She attended IBME in Switzerland, graduating with a degree in Missions and Theology.
She is a wife, a mother to three boys, and a critter mom to two rescue dogs and fourteen rescue cats. Renée has led and taught writing workshops through the Ozarks Chapter of American Christian Writers and is currently a member of the Springfield Writer’s Guild and Sleuth's Ink, in Springfield, Mo.
Renée has published thirteen books under her given name. She also writes suspense novels under pen name R.J. Dawkins. She writes across genres and for all age groups. Her brand is Wholesome Books for the Whole Family. Besides her own books, she has contributed to four Chicken Soup for the Soul books, two anthologies, and published numerous magazine articles. She has received several awards, among which was an award from Writer’s Digest for her personal essay, Treasures from the Sea, and Global Library Award and Book Cover Award for Miracle Moments; Helping the Rescued Become the Rescuers. Her children’s book, It’s Dark in the Ark, was a number one bestseller on Amazon.
You can learn more about her work at www.ReneeVajkoSrch.com, https://www.facebook.com/ReneeVajkoSrch
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