Topical Bible: Afflictions and Adversities: Resignation In

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Afflictions and adversities are an inevitable part of the human experience, often serving as a crucible for spiritual growth and maturity. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on how believers are to respond to such trials with resignation, trusting in God's sovereign will and purpose.

Biblical Examples of Resignation in Affliction:

1. Job's Endurance: The account of Job is perhaps the most profound biblical example of resignation in the face of severe affliction. Despite losing his wealth, health, and family, Job's response was one of worship and submission to God's will. He declared, "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21). Job's steadfastness amidst suffering exemplifies a heart resigned to God's sovereignty.

2. Joseph's Trials: Joseph's life was marked by betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment. Yet, he remained faithful and resigned to God's plan. When he finally confronted his brothers, he acknowledged God's hand in his suffering, saying, "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people" (Genesis 50:20).

3. Paul's Thorn in the Flesh: The Apostle Paul experienced a "thorn in the flesh," a persistent affliction that he pleaded with the Lord to remove. However, he accepted God's response, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paul's acceptance of his condition demonstrates a resignation to God's greater purpose and strength in his weakness.

Teachings on Resignation in Affliction:

1. Trust in God's Sovereignty: Believers are encouraged to trust in God's sovereign control over all circumstances. Romans 8:28 assures, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose" . This trust fosters a spirit of resignation, knowing that God orchestrates every event for His glory and our ultimate good.

2. Patience and Endurance: James 1:2-4 exhorts 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" . Resignation in adversity cultivates patience and spiritual maturity.

3. Hope in Eternal Glory: The temporary nature of earthly afflictions is contrasted with the eternal glory that awaits believers. Paul writes, "For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison" (2 Corinthians 4:17). This perspective encourages resignation, as believers fix their eyes on the eternal promises of God.

Practical Application:

Resignation in afflictions and adversities involves a conscious decision to submit to God's will, trusting in His wisdom and timing. It requires a heart posture of humility, recognizing that God's ways are higher than our own (Isaiah 55:8-9). Prayer, meditation on Scripture, and fellowship with other believers are vital practices that support a resigned spirit, enabling believers to endure trials with grace and hope.

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Job 5:17
Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects: therefore despise not you the chastening of the Almighty:
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Job 13:15
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain my own ways before him.
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Job 34:31,32,34
Surely it is meet to be said to God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:
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Psalm 4:4
Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart on your bed, and be still. Selah.
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Psalm 37:1
Fret not yourself because of evildoers, neither be you envious against the workers of iniquity.
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Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
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Proverbs 3:11
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
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Lamentations 3:22-36,39
It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
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Micah 6:9
The LORD's voice cries to the city, and the man of wisdom shall see your name: hear you the rod, and who has appointed it.
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Matthew 26:39
And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as you will.
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Mark 14:36
And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to you; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what you will.
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Luke 21:19
In your patience possess you your souls.
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Luke 22:42
Saying, Father, if you be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done.
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John 18:11
Then said Jesus to Peter, Put up your sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father has given me, shall I not drink it?
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Romans 5:3
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience;
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Romans 12:12
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
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2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
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Philippians 2:14
Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
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Colossians 1:11
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, to all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness;
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1 Thessalonians 3:3
That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
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2 Thessalonians 1:4
So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure:
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2 Timothy 2:3
You therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
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2 Timothy 4:5
But watch you in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of your ministry.
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Hebrews 10:34
For you had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that you have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
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Hebrews 12:3-12
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds.
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James 1:10
But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
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James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
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1 Peter 1:6
Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
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1 Peter 2:20
For what glory is it, if, when you be buffeted for your faults, you shall take it patiently? but if, when you do well, and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
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1 Peter 4:12,13,19
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you:
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1 Peter 5:6,7
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
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Library

Temptations and Trials.
... seculars by temporal afflictions and adversities, so He ... good Christians aver, incessant
afflictions are necessary ... submission and a loving resignation in their ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/v temptations and trials.htm

Letter v. --The Fear of Being Wanting in Submission.
... sends spiritual trials and purely interior afflictions. ... sanctify themselves in temporal
adversities by preaching ... submission, and continual resignation, so also ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter v the fear of being.htm

The Bereavements of the Christian Home. [A]
... but meekly submit to the providential afflictions of our ... We should remember that
all the adversities of life ... it to Him, therefore, with Christian resignation. ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xxvi the bereavements of.htm

Hail, Jesus;
... all Kinds of Prayer, as Contrition, Resignation., Love, &c. ... whereby I may pity other
men's afflictions, and may ... honour of Thy name, I may not fly adversities,. ...
/.../baker/holy wisdom or directions for the prayer of contemplation/hail jesus.htm