Comments on: Dry Wells

By: Luma

Luma — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:53:04 +0000

Thank you, Nancy. I can see that the Lord prepared me this morning to receive this.

By: Natalie

Natalie — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:25:25 +0000

Thanks for the very timely words. In the past I’ve resented and resisted being hurt because I’ve felt like I should just be tough enough for this stuff to not bother me, and in consequence I’ve struggled with feeling pretty dead inside. I think you’re right though. Affliction is different.

By: Melissa Cummings

Melissa Cummings — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:38:38 +0000

Thank you, Mrs. Wilson. This was a blessing, and I intend to share it with many friends.
Coupling this with the comment you told me recently, “God is not doing this to you, He is doing this *for* you,” I am encouraged by His merciful sanctification and eager to grow in His Kingdom. Thank you for the reminders.
One of the ways I already see God using my affliction for the good of His people is growing the concept of covenant children – identifying the image of God, even in small miscarried children who fit in the palm of my hand. And that is a beautiful ministry. I am thankful to be part of His school room, as people learn along with me. Some days I simply forget that.
And, like Andrea said, another way God is using my affliction for His Kingdom is by teaching me to reach out to others in affliction – whether the same vein as mine, or different. Learning to “identify affliction,” as you said, takes wisdom and gentleness; I pray for God’s grace to open my eyes and enable my hands.
Thank you again. May the Lord bless you abundantly.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:25:46 +0000

I had a period of about 4 years in which many, many sad things happened…lost 4 babies, one whom was a stillborn little boy…both my parents died suddenly…extended family strife…and we moved!

There were days where I could barely put my feet on the floor, but I can solemnly affirm the truth of what you write here, Nancy. I have told others who wanted to talk to me about all that, that I think there was really *no other way* for me to learn the things I learned during that difficult time. The Lord taught me His own goodness and sufficiency, and just as important, my own lack thereof. I have always been a pretty efficient, capable person…get things done…organized. But all the organization in the world didn’t mean a thing in the face of affliction. Things became very clear to me.

It hasn’t all been sad…the Lord has sent good times, too. We have 5 children living now. I think, often, of the poor women who have sorrows like mine *without* that comfort to breathe hope into their grief.

I also decided somewhere in those years that from now on, when someone I knew was hurting, I was going to take the chance that I might get it wrong, but I would step up and try to express my sympathy. I would not let them suffer without knowing my love for them, even if I couldn’t do anything else to help.

Sorry this comment is long, Nancy. I really appreciated this post.

By: Jasmine

Jasmine — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:52:58 +0000

I nearly started crying when I read this, because it so exactly echoed exactly what I’ve been feeling.
I don’t always think of singleness as an affliction, sometimes it is a huge blessing, especially at this stage of my life, but I’ve had some engaged friends visiting me for a few days, and I’ve really been feeling the weight on my heart of my loneliness.
Thank you for allowing me to identify it as an affliction, and for giving me these words of encouragement.

By: Franci

Franci — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:30:10 +0000

It can be so freeing to acknowledge something as an affliction, rather than to beat yourself up over it as if it’s somehow ‘your fault’, or punishment for some sin!

By: Julie

Julie — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:50:48 +0000

This was a blessing, thank you

By: SJR

SJR — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:50:59 +0000

Wow! I think you need to start a ‘best-of’ list over on the side-bar.

Thanks for this.

By: Valerie (Kyriosity)

Valerie (Kyriosity) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:43:41 +0000

The simple acknowledgment that affliction is affliction is the foundation of any comfort one can offer to the afflicted. It’s also the foundation of any reasonable exhortation to contentment.

By: Emily W

Emily W — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:19:57 +0000

Simply beautiful.