Afflicted

Before I was afflicted I went astray,but now I keep your word. Psalm 119:67
It is good for me that I was afflicted,that I might learn your statutes. Psalm 119:71
I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Psalm 119:75
Three times in this section of Psalm 119 the word afflicted is used. Humbled, brought low, to be occupied, to be busied with, to possibly chasten. There was a time I felt afflicted, felt very low. It was a time I strayed from God. I consider it the lowest time of my life, but it brought me to me knees and I sought God for help. He was right there and has been with me through everything since that day when I asked Jesus into my heart. I never want to go back to that day. Depressed and hopeless was the way I felt, but it brought me to realize that I needed God. Since that day, I have gone through hardship. I went through a time when my job was so hard, I didn't want to go in to the factory and just prayed for strength just to go in.  It was another low time in my life and during that period I realized just how self-righteous I was. I remember thanking God for showing me that side of me. I went through divorce, and God was with me. I remember one time in particular as I was praying about my relationship, knowing God hates divorce, but there was trouble in my marriage. I asked God for direction and as I was still praying he showed me what he saw. I had prayed , Lord I don't know what you see, I need help. As I was still praying, he showed me what he saw. I will never forget that prayer. Yes I was afflicted, and it was good that I was afflicted. God taught me and showed me some things about myself and others I didn't know. God was faithful through it all to help me. He used this affliction to guide me and to draw me to him. I am thankful for his faithful affliction. It was truly good for me that I was afflicted. Through affliction I learned relationship with God and I am forever grateful.  God bless. LVZ.