Grief is an inescapable part of the human experience. At some point in our lives, we will all have to face pain, sadness, and suffering. We cannot escape from it.
The Bible teaches us that affliction has a purpose in our lives. It is not a punishment that God imposes on us, but an opportunity for us to grow and mature. Through grief, we learn to value the things that really matter in life.
In this Bible study, we will explore some of the reasons why God allows us to suffer. We will also learn how to respond correctly to grief so that we can emerge stronger and mature.
What does the word affliction mean in the Bible?
The Bible uses the word affliction to describe the state of pain and suffering that a person experiences in a moment of crisis. It can also be translated as tribulation, anguish or haste. Grief can be caused by a traumatic event, such as the death of a loved one, or by a difficult situation, such as illness or famine. Some people experience grief due to their own misconduct. The Bible teaches that grief is an inevitable part of life, but it also gives us hope that God will help us through it.
That in this world you will have affliction
Jesus told his disciples: “In the world you will have affliction; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
The Bible teaches that all human beings, without exception, will have to face affliction in this life. Jesus himself suffered unjustly, and he told us that we would face the same fate. But he encouraged us by telling us that he had overcome the world.
Death, pain, suffering, illness, and loss are part of the human experience. But these things don’t have to have the latest word. Jesus promised that he would overcome the world, and he gave us his Holy Spirit so that we too can overcome all the afflictions of this life.
The Apostle Paul wrote: “For I know that this very suffering produces in me a fiery perseverance, which produces a quality of character, which produces hope. And this hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that he has given us »(Romans 5: 3-5).
The hope we have in Jesus helps us overcome all the afflictions of this life. And we can be sure that, in the end, victory will be ours.
How to face afflictions according to the Bible
The Bible offers many tips on how to deal with life’s afflictions. First of all, we must have faith in God. This means that we need to trust that he loves us and that he has a plan for us, even if we can’t see it. We must pray, seeking guidance and strength from him. God will give us the wisdom and courage we need to face our afflictions.
We must also seek the support of our loved ones and the Christian community. They will help us bear the weight of our afflictions. We must be honest about what we are going through and not try to face everything alone. We should also seek professional help if our afflictions are affecting us in a negative way.
Finally, we must remember that God is with us in our afflictions. Suffering is not a punishment from God, but an opportunity to grow and mature. With his help, we can face our afflictions and come out stronger on the other side.
What does John 16 teach us?
1. «On that day you will not ask me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in my name, I will do.”
2. «So far they have not asked for anything in my name; They ask and will receive so that their joy will be completed.”
3. «These things I have spoken to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world they will have affliction; but trust, I have overcome the world.»
4. “This is what my Father is all about: that you love me and believe that I came out of the Father’s hand.”
5. «I am going to the Father, and you will not see me anymore;
6. But when the Paraclete comes, whom I will send from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me.
7. And you will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.”
8. “But the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and remind you of all that I have told you.”
9. «I leave you peace, my peace I give you; I do not give it to you as the world gives it. Don’t worry or be afraid.”
10. “You have heard me say: ‘I go and I come to you.’ If they loved me, they would be glad that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than me.
11. “I have told you now, before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe.”
12. “Don’t ever think: ‘Who will go up to heaven to bring it down?’ —I, the Son of man, will come down from heaven.
13. “And whoever has faith in me will also do the works that I do, and even greater works, because I am going to the Father.”
14. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to remain with you forever.”
15. «The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees nor knows him; but you know him, because he remains with you and will be in you.
16. «I will not leave you orphans; I will return to you
17. Soon the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, and you will also live.
18. On that day you will understand that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
19. «He who has my commandments and keeps them, that is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
20. «Judas (not the Iscariot) asked him: – Lord, how will this happen? And how will you manifest us, and not the world?
21. Jesus answered him, “He who loves me will keep my word; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our abode with him.
22. «He who does not love me, does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine, but the Father’s who sent me.
23. «I have spoken to you about these things while I am still with you. 24. But the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.”
25. «I leave you peace, my peace I give you; I do not give it to you as the world gives it. Don’t worry or be afraid.
26. “You have heard me say: ‘I am leaving and I am coming to you.’ If they loved me, they would be glad that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than me.
27. «I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world they will have affliction; but trust, I have overcome the world.”
The Bible teaches us that we will have afflictions in this world, but that we must keep our faith in Christ. He gave us his Holy Spirit to give us strength and hope in the midst of our afflictions.