TOPICS LIST: http://www.eztech.com/bibletalks/topics.htm EMAIL: bibletalks@eztech.com Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The Bible Talks about PERSONAL TROUBLES; AFFLICTIONS. WHAT IS AN AFFLICTION? Any happening,condition or event that is causing you any trouble, pain or sorrow is called an "affliction" in the Bible. BELIEVERS CAN EXPECT AFFLICTIONS. JOB 14:1 "Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble." PSAL:M 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,...." (See also: JOHN 16:33; ACTS 14:22; 2 TIMOTHY 3:12.) WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF AFFLICTIONS? LUKE 13:16 (Because of Satan). "So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound - think of it - for eighteen years,...." JOHN 5:14. (Because of sin). "..... Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you." GALATIONS 6:7. (Because of what we have done). Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." HEBREWS 12:6 (God's chastisement; spanking). For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." (See also: HEBREWS 12:10; JEREMIAH 10:24; PSALM 119:67; PSALM 66:11; JOB 5:17.) WHAT DOES GOD EXPECT OF BELIEVERS SUFFERING AFFLICTIONS? Do praise the Lord and give thanks even in affliction: 1 THESSALONIANS 5:18. Do learn to be content in your situation: PHILIPPIANS 4:11. Do read and know His Word: PSALM 119:50. Do try to imitate Christ in suffering:1 PETER 2:21. Do admit you deserve chastisement if you have sinned: MICAH 7:9. Do keep your trust in God: JOB 13:15. Do pray for God to help you: PSALM 55:16; PSALM 50:15; Do not grumble or lose heart: LUKE 18:1. Do not blame God: JJOB 1:22. WHAT DOES GOD EXPECT OF BELIEVERS AFTER THE AFFLICTION IS OVER? PSALM 66:13,14 (Keep any resolution made during your affliction): " I will go into Your house with burnt offerings; I will pay You my vows,....which my lips have uttered and my mouth has spoken when I was in trouble." PSALM 106:1 (Praise and thank the Lord); " Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." JOHN 5:14. (Avoid sin): "....See, you have been made well. Sin no more,lest a worse thing come upon you." 2 CORINTHIANS 1:4 (You can now comfort others): "....who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." DO AFFLICTIONS HAVE ANY BENEFITS FOR US? YES: JOB 23:10 (Affliction may be God refining and purifying us). " But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold." (See also ISAIAH) 48:10.) PSALM 119:67. (Afflictions bring us back to the Father if we have strayed). "Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word." 2 CORINTHIANS 12:7 (Afflictions keep us humble). "And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure." PHILIPPIANS 3:10 (Afflictions give us the opportunity to be in the "fellowship of His suffering."). "... that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,...." (For additional benefits see: 1 PETER 5:10; JAMES 1:3.) THERE IS CONSOLATION FOR YOU WHO ARE IN AFFLICTION. PSALM 30:5 " Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning". PSALM 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble." PSALM 50:15 "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." PSALM 71:20 "You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, Shall revive me again, ..." PSALM 103:10 (If our affliction is chastisement, we are getting less than we deserve). "He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities." PROVERBS 15:3 (The Lord knows your situation). " The eyes of the LORD are in every place, watching the evil and the good." JOHN 14:27 "Peace I leave you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." ROMANS 8:28 (Even afflictions can work for our good). "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Believers are the "called ones"). 1 CORINTHIANS 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." 2 TIMOTHY 3:11 ".... persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra - what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me." PUT YOUR TRUST IN THE LORD. In order to receive a particular Bible Talks,go to: http://www.eztech.com/bibletalks/topics.htm and select a Bible Talks by topic. Click on the topic you want and print or read on the screen.