Appointed Afflictions

1 THESSALONIANS 3

Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, ² and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, ³ that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. ⁴ For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.

⁷ therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. ⁸ For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

Appointed Afflictions

 By: Eloisha Elcarte

Here comes the pain

O what is it for us to gain?

Is it not that we should be slain

But that our faint should never faint?

Here comes hurt

O relationships just flamed and burnt!

Not that we should put the fire out

But that even a spark of love shall be kindled out

They come and go

And we must not say we never know

For in this life below

God up above had them bestow

To increase our faith

And abound in love

Just as when He came on earth

To meet the cross and triumph

So should we

In pains, have glee

In hurts, a godly grin

For it is not that in His hand

It was slipped

But that He himself

Had it arranged!