Affliction

Affliction

Tribulation is a part of earthly experience

Job 14:1 HCSB Man born of woman is short of days and full of trouble.
Deuteronomy 4:30 HCSB When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, you will return to the LORD your God in later days and obey Him.
Matthew 24:21 HCSB For at that time there will be great tribulation, the kind that hasn't taken place from the beginning of the world until now and never will again!
John 16:33 HCSB I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world."
Acts 14:22 HCSB strengthening the hearts of the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith, and by telling them, "It is necessary to pass through many troubles on our way into the kingdom of God."
Romans 5:3 HCSB And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance,
1 Thessalonians 3:4 HCSB In fact, when we were with you, we told you previously that we were going to suffer persecution, and as you know, it happened.
Revelation 2:9 HCSB I know your tribulation and poverty, yet you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Revelation 7:14 HCSB I said to him, "Sir, you know." Then he told me: These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Affliction comes from the hand of God. He may afflict in order to discipline (in the sense of training) you; in order to punish you; or He may allow the natural consequences of sin (whether our own, others’ or humanity’s) to oppress us. But we cannot claim that God is sovereign with one side of our mouth and then disavow His affliction with the other. One way or the other, He is responsible.

He allowed a famine and disease to take Naomi’s family.

Ruth 1:21 HCSB I left full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has pronounced judgment on me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?"

He allowed Job to lose everything simply to prove a point to the devil and to Job.

Job 16:7 HCSB Surely He has now exhausted me. You have devastated my entire family.
Job 33:19 HCSB A person may be disciplined on his bed with pain and constant distress in his bones,

He afflicted the nation of Israel when they disobeyed.

Psalms 66:11 HCSB You lured us into a trap; You placed burdens on our backs.
Psalms 90:7 HCSB For we are consumed by Your anger; we are terrified by Your wrath.

He punished the psalmist for sin.

Psalms 102:9-10 HCSB I eat ashes like bread and mingle my drinks with tears 10 because of Your indignation and wrath; for You have picked me up and thrown me aside.

He afflicted Ezekiel to get a message across to the people of Israel.

Ezekiel 24:16-17 HCSB "Son of man, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you with a fatal blow. But you must not lament or weep or let your tears flow. 17 Groan quietly; do not observe mourning rites for the dead. Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover your mustache or eat the bread of mourners."

In fact, affliction could be considered one of the prerequisites of being one of His ministers.

Ezekiel 24:18-20 HCSB I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died in the evening. The next morning I did just as I was commanded. 19 Then the people asked me, "Won't you tell us what these things you are doing mean for us?" 20 So I answered them: "The word of the LORD came to me:
1 Corinthians 4:11-13 HCSB Up to the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are poorly clothed, roughly treated, homeless; 12 we labor, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we entreat. We are, even now, like the world's garbage, like the filth of all things.
2 Corinthians 6:4-10 HCSB But in everything, as God's ministers, we commend ourselves: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardship, by pressures, 5 by beatings, by imprisonments, by riots, by labors, by sleepless nights, by times of hunger, 6 by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7 by the message of truth, by the power of God; through weapons of righteousness on the right hand and the left, 8 through glory and dishonor, through slander and good report; as deceivers yet true; 9 as unknown yet recognized; as dying and look--we live; as being chastened yet not killed; 10 as grieving yet always rejoicing; as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing yet possessing everything.
2 Corinthians 11:23-29 HCSB Are they servants of Christ? I'm talking like a madman--I'm a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, near death many times. 24 Five times I received from the Jews 40 lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the depths of the sea. 26 On frequent journeys, I faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the open country, dangers on the sea, and dangers among false brothers; 27 labor and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and lacking clothing. 28 Not to mention other things, there is the daily pressure on me: my care for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
2 Corinthians 12:7-9 HCSB especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself. 8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me. 9 But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me.
1 Thessalonians 3:3-4 HCSB so that no one will be shaken by these persecutions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we told you previously that we were going to suffer persecution, and as you know, it happened.

Not all affliction is for specific sins. God often sends affliction to purify and strengthen our faith, for his glory.

1 Peter 1:6-7 HCSB You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to be distressed by various trials 7 so that the genuineness of your faith--more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire--may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

The rabbis had developed the principle that “there is no death without sin, and there is no suffering without iniquity.” They were even capable of thinking that a child could sin in the womb or that its soul might have sinned in a preexistent state. They also held that terrible punishments came on certain people because of the sin of their parents. As the next verse shows, Jesus plainly contradicted these beliefs.

John 9:1-3 HCSB As He was passing by, He saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples questioned Him: "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," Jesus answered. "This came about so that God's works might be displayed in him.

Afflictions will sometimes go on for a long time.

Psalms 6:3 HCSB my whole being is shaken with terror. And You, LORD--how long?
Psalms 13:1 HCSB For the choir director. A Davidic psalm. LORD, how long will You continually forget me? How long will You hide Your face from me?
Psalms 35:17 HCSB Lord, how long will You look on? Rescue my life from their ravages, my very life from the young lions.
Psalms 79:5 HCSB How long, LORD? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy keep burning like fire?
Psalms 80:4 HCSB LORD God of Hosts, how long will You be angry with Your people's prayers?
Psalms 89:46 HCSB How long, LORD? Will You hide Yourself forever? Will Your anger keep burning like fire?
Psalms 90:13 HCSB LORD--how long? Turn and have compassion on Your servants.
Psalms 94:3 HCSB LORD, how long will the wicked--how long will the wicked gloat?
Habakkuk 1:2 HCSB How long, LORD, must I call for help and You do not listen, or cry out to You about violence and You do not save?
Zechariah 1:12 HCSB Then the Angel of the LORD responded, "How long, LORD of Hosts, will You withhold mercy from Jerusalem and the cities of Judah that You have been angry with these 70 years?"
Revelation 6:9-11 HCSB When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those slaughtered because of God's word and the testimony they had. 10 They cried out with a loud voice: "O Lord, holy and true, how long until You judge and avenge our blood from those who live on the earth?" 11 So a white robe was given to each of them, and they were told to rest a little while longer until the number of their fellow slaves and their brothers, who were going to be killed just as they had been, would be completed.

True believers however will not give up under afflictions.

2 Corinthians 4:1, 16 HCSB Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not give up… Therefore we do not give up; even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day.
Ephesians 3:13 HCSB So then I ask you not to be discouraged over my afflictions on your behalf, for they are your glory.
Hebrews 12:5 HCSB And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord's discipline lightly, or faint when you are reproved by Him;
Revelation 2:3 HCSB You also possess endurance and have tolerated many things because of My name, and have not grown weary.

Affliction can have a refining influence.

Job 23:10 HCSB Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold.
Psalms 66:10 HCSB For You, God, tested us; You refined us as silver is refined.
Isaiah 48:10 HCSB Look, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
Malachi 3:3 HCSB He will be like a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness.
1 Peter 1:7 HCSB so that the genuineness of your faith--more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire--may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 4:12 HCSB Dear friends, when the fiery ordeal arises among you to test you, don't be surprised by it, as if something unusual were happening to you.

We may comfort ourselves in the knowledge that God is aware of our sufferings.

Exodus 3:7 HCSB Then the LORD said, "I have observed the misery of My people in Egypt, and have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I know about their sufferings.

Chastisement is a mark of the Father’s love

Deuteronomy 8:5 HCSB Keep in mind that the LORD your God has been disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son.
Psalms 94:12 HCSB LORD, happy is the man You discipline and teach from Your law
Proverbs 3:11-12 HCSB Do not despise the LORD's instruction, my son, and do not loathe His discipline; 12 for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, just as a father, the son he delights in.
John 15:2 HCSB Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit.
1 Corinthians 11:32 HCSB but when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned with the world.
Hebrews 12:5-6 HCSB And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord's discipline lightly, or faint when you are reproved by Him; 6 for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and punishes every son whom He receives.
Revelation 3:19 HCSB As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed and repent.

Saints drink of the “Cup of Suffering”

Psalms 80:5 HCSB You fed them the bread of tears and gave them a full measure of tears to drink.
Psalms 102:9 HCSB I eat ashes like bread and mingle my drinks with tears
Matthew 20:22 HCSB But Jesus answered, "You don't know what you're asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" "We are able," they said to Him.
Matthew 26:39 HCSB Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will."
John 18:11 HCSB At that, Jesus said to Peter, "Sheathe your sword! Am I not to drink the cup the Father has given Me?"

Affliction is sometimes describes as waters.

Psalms 42:7 HCSB Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and Your billows have swept over me.
Psalms 69:1 HCSB For the choir director: according to "The Lilies." Davidic. Save me, God, for the water has risen to my neck.
Psalms 88:7 HCSB Your wrath weighs heavily on me; You have overwhelmed me with all Your waves. Selah
Psalms 124:4 HCSB Then the waters would have engulfed us; the torrent would have swept over us;
Isaiah 30:20 HCSB The Lord will give you meager bread and water during oppression, but your Teacher will not hide Himself any longer. Your eyes will see your Teacher,

Not only is the faith itself precious, but Peter’s words indicate that the trial of faith is also valuable.

Romans 5:3-5 HCSB And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5 This hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
James 1:2-4 HCSB Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

Job, a godly man, was severely tried; he lost his possessions and his children.

Job 1:1 HCSB There was a man in the country of Uz named Job. He was a man of perfect integrity, who feared God and turned away from evil.
Job 1:8 HCSB Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil."
Job 1:20-22 HCSB Then Job stood up, tore his robe and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped, 21 saying: Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will leave this life. The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Praise the name of the LORD. 22 Throughout all this Job did not sin or blame God for anything.

God at times sends trials to develop patience in us.

James 1:2-4 HCSB Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

Note: The same Greek root lies behind the word “trials” here and the word “tempted” in v. 13. In vv. 2-3 the emphasis is on difficulties that come from outside; in vv. 13-15 it is on the inner moral trials such as the temptation to sin.

Sometimes affliction DOES come because of sin. Because of David’s sin with Bathsheba, God judged him, his household and even caused the child they had conceived to die.

2 Samuel 12:10-14 HCSB Now therefore, the sword will never leave your house because you despised Me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own wife.' 11 "This is what the LORD says, 'I am going to bring disaster on you from your own family: I will take your wives and give them to another before your very eyes, and he will sleep with them publicly. 12 You acted in secret, but I will do this before all Israel and in broad daylight.'" 13 David responded to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Then Nathan replied to David, "The LORD has taken away your sin; you will not die. 14 However, because you treated the LORD with such contempt in this matter, the son born to you will die."

Note: “the sword shall never depart from your house.” Three of David’s sons came to violent deaths: Amnon (13:28-29), Absalom (18:14) and Adonijah (1 Kings 2:25). “I will raise up evil against you from your own household.” David was driven from Jerusalem by Absalom’s conspiracy to seize the kingship from his own father (15:1-15). “he will lie with your wives in broad daylight.” Fulfilled at the time of Absalom’s rebellion (see 16:22). “you have given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme.” David was required to suffer the disciplinary results of his sin in a manner open to public view even though, because he repented of his sin, he had received forgiveness.

Sometimes that punishment can take the form of death. This was equally true in the Old and New Testament.

Deuteronomy 8:19-20 HCSB If you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods to worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will perish. 20 Like the nations the LORD is about to destroy before you, you will perish if you do not obey the LORD your God.
1 Corinthians 11:27-32 HCSB Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy way will be guilty of sin against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 So a man should examine himself; in this way he should eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen asleep. 31 If we were properly evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged, 32 but when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned with the world.
Note: An irreverent and self-centered manner characterized some of the Corinthians at their unruly agape supper (vv.19-22). “Sleep” (as it is translated in some versions) is a common first-century figure of speech for death. As God’s redeemed children we are disciplined – just as a human father disciplines his child – so that we might repent of our sins (cf. 2 Cor. 7:10) and grow in grace (2 Peter 3:18; Heb. 12:7-11).

The psalmist was thankful for affliction, for it taught him to keep God’s precepts.

Psalms 119:67-68 HCSB Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. 68 You are good, and You do what is good; teach me Your statutes.
Psalms 119:71-72 HCSB It was good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn Your statutes. 72 Instruction from Your lips is better for me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Psalms 119:75-76 HCSB I know, LORD, that Your judgments are just and that You have afflicted me fairly. 76 May Your faithful love comfort me, as You promised Your servant.

Note: Note that in verses 71 and 75 the affliction is at the hands of God and that is good (for David).

God disciplines his children to promote sanctification.

Hebrews 2:5-11 HCSB For He has not subjected to angels the world to come that we are talking about. 6 But one has somewhere testified: What is man, that You remember him, or the son of man, that You care for him? 7 You made him lower than the angels for a short time; You crowned him with glory and honor 8 and subjected everything under his feet. For in subjecting everything to him, He left nothing not subject to him. As it is, we do not yet see everything subjected to him. 9 But we do see Jesus--made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God's grace He might taste death for everyone--crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death. 10 For it was fitting, in bringing many sons to glory, that He, for whom and through whom all things exist, should make the source of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. That is why He is not ashamed to call them brothers,

Note: Suffering and persecution should be seen as corrective and instructive training for our spiritual development as His children. The Greek for “scourges” means “to whip.” God chastens us in order to correct our faults. God’s discipline is evidence that we are His children. Far from being a reason for despair, discipline is a basis for encouragement and perseverance (v.10). When received submissively (v.9), discipline is wholesome and beneficial.

We must neither make light of God’s discipline nor lose heart because of it.

Hebrews 12:5-6 HCSB And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord's discipline lightly, or faint when you are reproved by Him; 6 for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and punishes every son whom He receives.

No discipline is pleasant, but later on we enjoy its fruit.

Hebrews 12:11 HCSB No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

God disciplined and tried His people on their journey to the Promised Land to teach them important lessons.

Deuteronomy 8:2-5 HCSB Remember that the LORD your God led you on the entire journey these 40 years in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands. 3 He humbled you by letting you go hungry; then He gave you manna to eat, which you and your fathers had not known, so that you might learn that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. 4 Your clothing did not wear out, and your feet did not swell these 40 years. 5 Keep in mind that the LORD your God has been disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son.

Note: God’s discipline of His people by bringing them through the wilderness taught them the fundamental truth that bread sustains but does not guarantee life, which is God’s gift to those who trust in and live by His word. There they were humbled (cf. v.14) by being cast in total dependence on the Lord.

God tried His people at Marah, where He turned the bitter water sweet and soon gave a time of refreshment at Elim.

Exodus 15:25-27 HCSB So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he threw it into the water, the water became drinkable. He made a statute and ordinance for them at Marah and He tested them there. 26 He said, "If you will carefully obey the LORD your God, do what is right in His eyes, pay attention to His commands, and keep all His statutes, I will not inflict any illness on you I inflicted on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you." 27 Then they came to Elim, where there were 12 springs of water and 70 date palms, and they camped there by the waters.

Note: During their wilderness wanderings, the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron whenever they faced a crisis. In reality however, they were grumbling against the Lord (16:8). Paul warns us not to follow their example (see 1 Cor. 10:10). Note that their not receiving the diseases was contingent on their obedience.

To the lukewarm church Jesus declares that He rebukes and disciplines those whom He loves.

Revelation 3:19-20 HCSB As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed and repent. 20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me.

Note: see Job 5:17; Ps. 94:12; Prov. 3:11-12; 1 Cor. 11:32; Heb. 12:5

Paul was given a thorn in the flesh, a continual affliction to bear. God promised him that His grace would always be sufficient.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 HCSB especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself. 8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me. 9 But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me. 10 So because of Christ, I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in catastrophes, in persecutions, and in pressures. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

In everything God works for the good of those who love Him.

Romans 8:28 HCSB We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

God will never give you more than you can bear.

1 Corinthians 10:13 HCSB No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.

We cannot always comprehend God’s ways, as He, in His wisdom, carries out His plan.

Romans 11:33-36 HCSB Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments and untraceable His ways! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? 35 Or who has ever first given to Him, and has to be repaid? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

King Hezekiah praised God for His loving discipline.

Isaiah 38:15-17 HCSB What can I say? He has spoken to me, and He Himself has done it. I walk along slowly all my years because of the bitterness of my soul, 16 Lord, because of these promises people live, and in all of them is the life of my spirit as well; You have restored me to health and let me live. 17 Indeed, it was for my own welfare that I had such great bitterness; but Your love has delivered me from the Pit of destruction, for You have thrown all my sins behind Your back.

We can rejoice in our sufferings, which produce perseverance.

Romans 5:3 HCSB And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance,

Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Romans 8:18 HCSB For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.

God blesses those who persevere under trials.

James 1:12 HCSB Blessed is a man who endures trials, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that He has promised to those who love Him.

Paul says that he suffered under great stress so that he might learn to rely more on God.

2 Corinthians 1:8-9 HCSB For we don't want you to be unaware, brothers, of our affliction that took place in the province of Asia: we were completely overwhelmed--beyond our strength--so that we even despaired of life. 9 However, we personally had a death sentence within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead.

Paul says that God always has and always will deliver him.

2 Corinthians 1:10-11 HCSB He has delivered us from such a terrible death, and He will deliver us; we have placed our hope in Him that He will deliver us again. 11 And you can join in helping with prayer for us, so that thanks may be given by many on our behalf for the gift that came to us through the prayers of many.

When we are struggling through afflictions, we should study God’s Word and claim His promises.

Psalms 119:50 HCSB This is my comfort in my affliction: Your promise has given me life.
Psalms 119:143 HCSB Trouble and distress have overtaken me, but Your commands are my delight.

We should also rely on His strength. If He chooses to lead us through the “dark valley” He will be there with us and provide the resources we need to make it through to the other side.

Psalms 23:4-5 HCSB Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff--they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Isaiah 63:9 HCSB In all their suffering, He suffered, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. He redeemed them because of His love and compassion; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of the past.

Often afflictions can be blessings in disguise.

Job 5:17 HCSB See how happy the man is God corrects; so do not reject the discipline of the Almighty.
Job 23:10 HCSB Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold.
Psalms 119:67 HCSB Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.
Ecclesiastes 7:2-3 HCSB It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, since that is the end of all mankind, and the living should take it to heart. 3 Grief is better than laughter, for when a face is sad, a heart may be glad.
Jonah 2:2 HCSB I called to the LORD in my distress, and He answered me. I cried out for help in the belly of Sheol; You heard my voice.
Zechariah 13:9 HCSB I will put this third through the fire; I will refine them as silver is refined and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say: They are My people, and they will say: The LORD is our God."
2 Corinthians 4:17 HCSB For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.
Hebrews 12:11 HCSB No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Revelation 7:13-17 HCSB Then one of the elders asked me, "Who are these people robed in white, and where did they come from?" 14 I said to him, "Sir, you know." Then he told me: These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 For this reason they are before the throne of God, and they serve Him day and night in His sanctuary. The One seated on the throne will shelter them: 16 no longer will they hunger; no longer will they thirst; no longer will the sun strike them, or any heat. 17 Because the Lamb who is at the center of the throne will shepherd them; He will guide them to springs of living waters, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Holding these views is an impossible task for a human. The fact that the Ransomed routinely go through horrific situations with grace is a testament to the wonderful strength of our Savior.

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 HCSB Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. 8 We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; 9 we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed.