Affliction must be recognized as something we all need to deal with. There is no place to go for a vacation from the abnormality of the universe, from the effects of the Fall upon every area of life, and from the conflict of the ages. Persecution and affliction are a normal part of the Christian life. We need not be surprised or ashamed when our work, our family, our church, or our individual person is hit by some form of affliction. Satan does not fight against himself. So when those in the midst of false religions seem to be having an easier time than Christians, it should not be surprising. The criterion of living a growing, fruitful Christian life in a close walk with the Lord is neither to be "abased" nor to "abound." Both situations present temptations, but both can be places of victory. We are too easily turned toward thinking of what we can "get" in the way of happiness by being a Christian, and fail to remember a conviction and willingness to be used by God at tremendous cost.

We cannot compare our own pattern to someone else's to discover whether or not we are in the Lord's will. God has individual and very diverse plans for the lives of His children, and Satan's attempts to turn us aside are also diverse. Poverty can be an attack, but so can affluence. Hardship can be an attack, but so can ease. And when we face the death of a love one, the attempt to twist us into bitterness can be an attack, but so can be a false covering up of sorrow.

Tremendous victory is only possible in the face of a tremendous battle. Our desire should be to help each other find victory in hidden places and "overcome him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb" in very practical moment-by-moment happenings in our day-to-day lives.

We do not live in a fatalistic universe. The infinite, personal Living God has done what are minds cannot grasp. If we could understand all that God understands, we would no longer be finite and human. To demand this is rebellion against remaining in our own place as His creatures, akin to Lucifer's demand equality with God. We are to bow to the truth which God has given us, with the amount of explanation He has given us. We need to be willing to let God be God, and to stay in our place as human beings. It is not necessary for us to say something like: "It was God who sent the terrorists into that building and chose my husband to be the first one shot, riddled with seven bullets, and thrown down the stairs." God does not ask us to place any such explanation upon a situation in which Satan's emissaries are striking out against the work of the Lord in His servants. The death of martyrs must not be placed anywhere but where it belongs: in the battle by which Satan is trying to stamp out the spread of true truth.

There is a battle going on that is real. History is taking place. This is not a puppet show, but a cause-and-effect history. We must acknowledge that we can't understand everything, but that we do have much help and comfort in the Bible. God is sovereign and all-powerful, and the victory is His.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, give me the strength to overcome the trials, temptations, afflictions, and persecutions that I face daily. Whether these involve being abased or in abounding. I thank You that I have been called to take a part in the "battle of the heavenlies." Give me wisdom from Your Word to encourage others in the victory that comes through faith in You and Your shed blood. Amen.

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Edith Schaeffer', "The Art of Life"