Our Attitude Toward Affliction by U. P. Long

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 29, 1910

Our Attitude Toward Affliction

By U. P. Long

U. P. LONG

We should be submissive like Job, when he said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord;” and, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.” Job 1:21; 13:15. Like Job, we should also be receptive, desirous of learning the lesson the Lord has for us in the affliction that has come. Job 6:24; 13:23. “Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.” Where sins have been committed (and there is no man that sinneth not), we should confess and forsake our sins. “I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men?” “If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.” “Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more: that which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.” Job 7:20; 11:14; 34:31, 32.

Even when conscious of having been loyal and faithful to God, we should humble ourselves under his mighty hand (1 Peter 5:6), and realize that all things work together for good to them that love

God. Rom. 8:28. If we would enter into the kingdom of God, it must be through much tribulation. Acts 14:22; Rev. 7:14-17. We should ever choose affliction rather than iniquity, and magnify God’s work. Job 36:21, 24. God knows all about us, and when he has tried us (if we are submissive), we shall come forth as gold. We should ever remember that we are a spectacle and a light to the world.

We should learn the lessons of humility and perfect trust and faith, sense our own insignificance, and cease multiplying words and darkening counsel without knowledge. We should lay our hand upon our mouth. Job 40:4.

“Then hush! O hush! for the Father knows what thou knowest not,— The need and the thorn and the shadow linked with the fairest lot; Knows the wisest exemption from many an unseen snare, Knows what will keep thee nearest, knows what thou couldst not bear. “Hush! O hush! for the Father, whose ways are true and just, Knoweth and careth and loveth, and waits for thy perfect trust; The cup he is slowly filling shall soon be full to the brim, And infinite compensation forever be found in him.”

Attitude Toward the Afflicted

The conditions of the afflicted are such that they are usually misunderstood. We should exercise great caution lest we add to their sorrow instead of supplying the needful help and consolation. Job’s own wife missed her opportunity so far as to tempt him to renounce his faith and give up the struggle; and his most intimate friends, through misunderstanding, condemned and abused him, thus greatly augmenting his trials. These are but fair illustrations of what is frequently done. We should learn to profit by all such mistakes.

It is natural for those whose “eyes stand out with fatness,” to have contempt and suspicion for one who is suffering pain and burning with fever, and whose members are “as a shadow.” In some instances only one among a thousand can fully enter into another’s trouble, and give the needed counsel and sympathy.

Like Elihu, we should realize that we also are clay, and not add to the terror already felt, but act as would the compassionate, sympathizing Redeemer. Job 33:7. In all things our Saviour was made like unto us, that he might deal with us mercifully and faithfully. He has love and pity for us; for he was likewise tempted in all points like as we are. “When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.” We should strengthen the afflicted with our mouth, and our words should assuage their grief. “To him that is afflicted pity should be showed from his friend.” Job 22:29; 6:14.

Sterling, Colo.