Some wheels in their life run clockwise, which provides hope that the events of their lives directed by God's providence are good for them, but other acts of God's providence seem to run counterclockwise, that is, seem to run against them. Yes, believer, though much often seems counterclockwise and against you when you see one wheel of providence work within or against another wheel of grace in various afflictions and riddles, yet your wise God knows exactly what He is doing. He shall work all things together to produce a divine and blessed result according to His sovereign good pleasure and eternal counsel. Paul allows for no exceptions to this radical promise. No one naturally enjoys affliction.
Afflictions can be very heavy and difficult to bear.
Let's look briefly at nine different ways in which in His hands your afflictions serve your spiritual welfare and eternal health. Affliction not only makes a true Christian humble before God, but it keeps him humble. Affliction vacuums away the fuel that feeds his pride. Second, through affliction God's people learn what sin is in its God-dishonoring, defiling, and damning nature. They learn through affliction that sin is actually an attack upon the very heart and being and attributes of God.