"The God of Peace" Cares for the Afflicted

Conclusion of How God Helps the Afflicted

Prayer also helps us to keep  our mental balance, so that our affliction does not overwhelm us.  The  apostle Paul wrote:  "In everything by prayer and supplication along with the thanksgiving let your  petitions be made known to God."  With what result?  "The peace of God that excels all thought will guard your hearts and your mental powers  by means of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6, 7)  Yes, peace, the peace of God. That peace "excels all thought," so it can stabilize us when we are burdened with distressing emotions.  It will 'guard our hearts and mental powers,' thus helping us to avoid reacting rashly and unwisely, which could add to our affliction. -Ecclesiastes 7:7.

 Prayer can do still more. It can  make a difference in how a situation works out.  Consider a Bible example.  When the apostle Paul was imprisoned in Rome, he encouraged fellow Christian to pray in his behalf. Why? "I exhort you more especially to do this," he wrote to them, "that I may be restored to you the sooner." (Hebrews 13:19) Paul knew that the persistent prayers of his fellow believers would make a difference  as to when he would be released. -Philemon 22. 

Will prayer change the  outcome of your affliction?  It may. We should realize, though, that Jehovah does not always answer our prayers in the manner that we expect. Paul, for example, prayed repeatedly  regarding his "thorn in the flesh"-perhaps a physical problem related to his eyesight. Instead of removing the affliction, God told Paul:  "My undeserved kindness is sufficient for you; for my power is being made perfect in weakness." -2 Corinthians 12:7-9. 

So at times our adversities will not be removed. Rather, we will have opportunity to prove our reliance on our Creator.  (Acts 14:22) Furthermore, we can be assured that even if Jehovah does not remove the affliction, he will "make the way out in order for [us] to be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13) Yes, it is for good reason that Jehovah is called "the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation." (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4) He gives us what we need to endure with considerable peace. 

Next time: "The God of Peace" Cares for the Afflicted -Soon-A World Without Affliction!

From the Watchtower magazine, 1997