Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
The apostle does not say that all things are good. Affliction, in itself, is a bitter fruit of the Fall (Genesis 3:16-19). Pain, loss, sickness, and sorrow are real evils. Yet Scripture speaks with unflinching clarity: the sovereign God causes even these afflictions to work together for the good of His redeemed people. Not by human resilience. But by His wise, holy, and fatherly providence.
Afflictions are not random, nor do they spring out of the dust, nor are they the triumph of Satan (Job 5:6). Because They come by divine appointment. As Naomi confessed, “The Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me” (Ruth 1:20). Job did not say, “The Lord gave, and the devil took away,” but rather, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away” (Job 1:21). This truth steadies the soul. A suffering not governed by God would be unbearable. But an affliction measured by a Father’s hand, is never meaningless.
The Word of God presses further: affliction is not only from God – it is for our good. “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes” (Psalm 119:71). Here the Lord turns poison into medicine. God extracts our salvation. The furnace does not destroy the gold; it refines it.
First, affliction is a teacher.
“Hear the rod and of He who appointed it!” (Micah 6:9). Sermons may inform the mind, but suffering instructs the heart. In prosperity, sin often appears harmless. But affliction reveals its true teeth. A sickbed, a grave, or a shattered plan teaches us what sin really is – defiling, deceitful, and deadly (Romans 7:13). Under the heat, corruption surfaces. Trials expose impatience, unbelief, and pride hidden within. And in that painful discovery, God is doing us good.
Second, affliction straightens a divided heart.
“Their heart is false” (Hosea 10:2). In ease, the soul leans toward the world. God and SELF compete. So the Lord removes earthly supports, that the heart may cleave to Him alone. As a crooked iron rod is held over the fire to make it straight, so God uses affliction to restore sincerity and uprightness. This is mercy, not cruelty.
Third, affliction conforms us to Jesus.
The Father is committed to making His children like His Son (Romans 8:29). And what was the Son’s path? “A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). Shall the Head wear a crown of thorns, while the members expect crowns of flowers? Christ’s sufferings were atoning; ours are chastening (Hebrews 12:10). Yet through them, the likeness of Jesus is etched more deeply into our souls.
Fourth, affliction weakens sin.
Sin gives birth to affliction; and affliction, in turn, helps kill sin. The fire burns away dross. Pride is humbled. Lust is cooled. Covetousness is exposed. God wounds, in order to heal. What He removes is not our treasure, but our disease.
Fifth, affliction loosens our grip on the world.
God digs up the roots of our comforts, so that our hearts may be lifted heavenward. When earthly streams dry up, we are driven to the fountain. “All my springs are in You” (Psalm 87:7). This weaning is painful, but necessary, even for the oldest saints.
Sixth, affliction prepares the way for glory.
“For this light and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison!” (2 Corinthians 4:17) The dark colors are laid down first, then the gold. The vessel is seasoned before the wine is poured in. God’s rod has honey at the end of it.
Therefore The worst God ever does to His children, is to whip them to Heaven!
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