In All These Things: Christian Perspective On Affliction
Watching the news recently and witnessing the horrendous acts of affliction and violence in Peshawar and Australia my mind trails off to thoughts of the extent of suffering and affliction globally. Realizing that this occurs among people of various backgrounds allows the tragic nature of these events to really hit home.
Yet, the Christian should not be surprised that these things happen. Our surprise should be that these things don’t happen more frequently. Unfortunately, Christians are the target of horrific acts around the world. Most notably the current deadly persecutions that are being perpetrated by the ISIS group in the middle east and the Boku Haram in Nigeria.
When clinging to faith means death, our faith is placed in an entirely new perspective. The decisions made to be faithful to Christ in these areas, and many others like them, lead to a permanent result.
However, Paul wrote to encourage believers when he wrote, “No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us.” –Romans 8:37
What are the “all these things” to which the apostle is referring? Paul had just listed the things that first century Christians were facing because of their faith.
“Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.” –Romans 8:35-36
Christians, like their King, are victorious in persecution, suffering, affliction and death. These malicious and terrible acts don’t separate us from God but indeed send us directly to Him. Momentarily the believer’s neck transitions from being under the blade of the sword to being under the loving arm of Christ in eternity.
While we are properly moved to compassion toward our brothers and sisters who are facing this, we also can praise God that for some, the affliction is ending in glory.
As we enter this holiday season, let us remember our family of believers who are facing the cruelest of existences. Lift them up to our Father that He may deliver them from their circumstances.
In the end, we must trust in His will and say with Job, “Even if He kills me, I will hope in Him” and “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 Yahweh.” (Job 13:15; 1:21)
Radical Ranting Patriot 
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