Affliction is one of God’s medicines. By it He often teaches lessons which would be learned in no other way. By it He often draws souls away from sin and the world, which would otherwise have perished everlastingly. Health is a great blessing, but sanctified disease is a greater. Prosperity and worldly comfort are what all naturally desire, but losses and crosses are far better for us, if they lead us to Christ. Thousands at the last day, will testify with David and the nobleman before us, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted” (Psalm. 119:71).
Let us beware of murmuring in the time of trouble. Let us settle it firmly in our minds that there is a meaning, a needs-be, and a message from God in every sorrow that falls upon us. There are no lessons so useful as those learned in the school of affliction. There is no commentary that opens up the Bible so much as sickness and sorrow. “No chastening at present seems to be cause for joy, but rather for grief; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit” (Hebrews 12:11). The resurrection morning will prove that many of the losses of God’s people were in reality eternal gains.
Adapted from Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of John by J.C. Ryle
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