10 ENCOURAGING Reasons for TrialsEsimerkki

I pray often for God to protect me from my pride because I can feel that it runs through my veins. Fighting pride is a constant battle, but worth the effort because pride can ruin a life and a ministry very quickly. We see in II Corinthians that God wanted to protect Paul from pride so He allowed Satan to afflict him. This affliction of suffering was not a punishment, it was a provision.  How gracious of God to put in place a preventative measure to help Paul avoid pride in the future. Paul even acknowledges that preventing pride was the reason God allowed the affliction. It also seemed to be public suffering, because the concern was that others would exalt Paul too highly based on the visions God had allowed him to see. So the outward weakness of Paul’s affliction helped others to not exalt him above measure, thus helping Paul remain humble and usable. I love Paul’s response and surrender to this affliction.  He chose to see the affliction from God’s perspective, not allowing himself to accuse God, but rather revel in the truth that God’s power would rest upon him in his weakness. So we see the fifth beautiful reason for affliction is a provision to protect us from pride or being exalted above measure. God knows that keeping us humble keeps us usable and close to Him. It just may be that the affliction or trial you are enduring is God’s way of protecting you from pride!