Topical Bible: Afflictions and Adversities: Man is Born To

Bible > Topical > Afflictions and Adversities

◄ Afflictions and Adversities: Man is Born To ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of afflictions and adversities as an inherent part of human existence is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. Scripture acknowledges that suffering and hardship are inevitable in the human experience, serving various purposes in the divine plan.

Biblical Foundation

The Book of Job is perhaps the most profound exploration of human suffering in the Bible. Job, a righteous man, endures immense suffering, prompting the question of why the righteous suffer. In Job 5:7 , it is stated, "Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward." This verse underscores the inevitability of adversity in human life, suggesting that just as natural laws govern the physical world, so too does the presence of trouble govern human existence.

Similarly, Ecclesiastes 2:23 reflects on the toil and pain of life: "For all his days, his work is grief and pain; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile." The Preacher in Ecclesiastes acknowledges the weariness and burdens that accompany human labor and existence, emphasizing the transient and often challenging nature of life under the sun.

Purpose and Refinement

While afflictions are a part of life, the Bible also presents them as opportunities for growth and refinement. In the New Testament, James 1:2-4 encourages believers to "consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Here, trials are seen as a means to develop spiritual maturity and endurance.

The Apostle Paul also speaks to the transformative power of suffering in Romans 5:3-5 : "Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." Paul presents a progression from suffering to hope, illustrating how adversities can lead to a deeper experience of God's love and presence.

Divine Sovereignty and Comfort

The Bible assures believers of God's sovereignty over all circumstances, including afflictions. In Isaiah 45:7 , God declares, "I form light and create darkness; I bring prosperity and create calamity. I, the LORD, do all these things." This verse affirms that God is in control of both blessings and adversities, working all things according to His divine purpose.

Moreover, Scripture offers comfort to those enduring hardships. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 , Paul writes, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." This passage highlights God's role as a source of comfort, enabling believers to extend that same comfort to others.

Eternal Perspective

The Bible encourages believers to maintain an eternal perspective amidst afflictions. In 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 , Paul states, "For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." This perspective helps believers to endure present sufferings with the hope of future glory.

In conclusion, the Bible presents afflictions and adversities as an integral part of the human condition, serving purposes of growth, refinement, and reliance on God's sovereignty and comfort. Through these experiences, believers are encouraged to develop perseverance, character, and hope, while maintaining an eternal perspective.

Nave's Topical Index

Job 5:6,7
Although affliction comes not forth of the dust, neither does trouble spring out of the ground;
Nave's Topical Index

Job 14:1
Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

What and Whence are These?
... in all their glory, amid the afflictions, and adversities, and catastrophes ... He was
not without family afflictions, among the chief of ... Man is born to trouble. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/what and whence are these.htm

Fruits and the Two Works.
... Amid adversities, afflictions, persecutions, temptations and trials, when storms ...
to attack the body, or other afflictions may come ... to the Except a man be born ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter vi fruits and the.htm

Christian Graces.
... saves by prevailing with the soul to suffer all troubles, afflictions, and adversities
that it ... True, may that man say, I was taken out of the dunghill, I ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xviii christian graces.htm

The Unrivalled Friend
... as he has loved us, always and under all adversities. ... effect of sorrow, but because
their afflictions have acted ... Be the last man to leave the sinking vessel ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the unrivalled friend.htm

A Psalm of Remembrance
... describe their continual exercises of soul, their deep afflictions, their desperate
adversities, and their ... of the Holy Spirit in the soul of man, when he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/a psalm of remembrance.htm

(On the Lord's Resurrection, ii. )
... nor give way to fear in the midst of adversities. ... of this life which is full of various
afflictions, we ought to ... likeness of men and found in fashion as a man. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon lxxii on the lords.htm

Lessons.
... orphanhood,"a brother evidently made and born for their adversities? ... fear God nor
do good to man, are suffered ... us, and Jesus for us, in all our afflictions. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/iii lessons.htm

The Christian's Heaviness and Rejoicing
... depths we cry unto God, humbled by our adversities. ... shall never perish, neither shall
any man pluck them ... they be manifold, are but light afflictions and are ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the christians heaviness and rejoicing.htm

Christian Morals. Part ii.
... doubt: and, therefore, in reference unto man, Cupid is ... fortune lays the plot of our
adversities in the ... of misery, and a circulation in afflictions is necessary ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/christian morals/christian morals part ii.htm

Whither Goest Thou?
... No man, be he on the throne, or on the ... God appoints the weight and number of all
our adversities. ... Since every trial comes from God, afflictions are no evidence ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/whither goest thou.htm