Have you ever experienced a tribulation, distress or affliction that was so overwhelming it was beyond what you could handle?
Thlipsis is the Greek word for Affliction, which is defined as “a pressing, pressing together, pressure, oppression, tribulation, distress.”
What a great word picture because it feels like “a pressing” weight when I’m afflicted.
Some of the things I’ve been learning are:
- Affliction can lead to burdens beyond our strength
- Affliction can lead us to die to self–humble ourself and admit our inability to change the situation and place our trust in God
- Affliction can remind us:
- God is above all things
- God raises the dead
- God will deliver us from the afflictions of this world
- We need to set our hope in God (not man)
- Affliction keeps us close to God
- Affliction reminds us to pray for one another for deliverance of these afflictions
- God delivered us from so great a peril of death through Jesus Christ
- Affliction reminds us there’s more than this life…there’s eternal life
Eternal life can begin now with KNOWING God and Jesus Christ who He has sent. Unite yourself to the One that can carry you–Jesus Christ.
In whatever affliction you may be enduring, may you be encouraged BeLoved.
Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:28-29
“For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.”
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
“For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:10-11
Altar of Heaven 
November 21st, 2015 at 11:01 pm
Thank you, Arcelia. That was an encouraging word. It has been a difficult season, but being burdened beyond what I can bear in and of myself HAS brought the blessing of being closer to God. So true. I hope you all are well. I’ve been reminded of you a lot lately. Recently, I did a photo shoot for a family who lives in your old neighborhood on Pemberley Ct. I didn’t realize she lived there until after we scheduled her photos. I waited until I was in the neighborhood to see if I was right about the address before asking her if she ever knew you. She said she had met you, but didn’t know you well. She did NOT realize you had ever lived down the street. However, she knows Anna, and has been blessed by her, she was in the Bible study when you all were studying Hebrews! Small world!!
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December 25th, 2015 at 7:16 am
Christina! I’m so thankful this was encouraging for you! I miss you so much and hope to pray with you soon. I love you my friend 🙂
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