"The God of Peace" Cares for the Afflicted

How God Helps the Afflicted

As we have seen when David suffered affliction, he  earnestly prayed to God to God for guidance. At the same time, he took the initiative to alleviate the situation, using ingenuity to escape his pursuers. Thus, reliance on Jehovah combined with personal effort enabled David to endure his adversity. What can we learn from this? 

When we are faced with affliction, it is certainly not wrong for us to take reasonable initiative to solve the problem.  For example, if a Christian finds himself unemployed, will he not put forth the effort to find work?  Or if he is suffering from a physical ailment, will he not seek medical attention?  Indeed,m even Jesus, who had the power to cure all types of sickness, acknowledge that 'the ailing need a physician.'  (Matthew  9:12; compare 1 Timothy 5:23) Of course some adversities cannot be removed; they simply must  be endured. Nevertheless, a true Christian does not view suffering as a virtue in itself, as do some.  (Compare 1 Kings 18:28) Rather, he takes whatever steps he can to cope with his affliction.

At the same time, though, it is reasonable to take the matter to Jehovah in prayer.  Why?  First,  by leaning on our Creator, we are helped to "make sure of the more important things."  (Philippians 1:10) For instance, when searching for employment, prayerful reliance on God will us not to accept work that conflicts with Bible principles.  We will also avoid being  "led astray from the faith" by the love of money.  (1 Timothy 6:10)  Really, when making weighty decisions-regarding employment or any other facet of life-we need to follow David's admonition:  "Throw your burden upon Jehovah himself, and he himself will sustain you. Never will he allow the righteous one to totter." -Psalm 55:22. 

Next time: Conclusion of How God Helps the Afflicted

From the Watchtower magazine, 1997