The University of Affliction: God’s Training Ground for Victory

The only training ground God uses to train his children for victory is the university of affliction. God uses challenges and hardships to build endurance, strength, and trust in us

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If God allows us to go through life without any obstacle, we will live through life without any miracle; only knowing how to crawl but never knowing how to fly.

Endurance is the key; ability to contain your pains in order to embrace the gains. Nothing good comes easy. Stumbling blocks are steppingstones in disguise only if you see it so! Our strength is always made strong in weakness. It is when we face challenges that we know different options of getting out of troubles.

"But if you are without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons" (Heb 12:8).

It has been said that the only university God sends His children to is the university of affliction. He did if for His Son, Jesus; not because He hated Him, but rather because he loves Him. If He loves us too, He will allow us to pass through situations and vicissitude of life we would rather not choose for ourselves. However, God allows them in our lives to toughen us and make us strong, not to kill us.

God wants to take pride in our might and gallantry. He called Satan and gave him the testimony about His servant, Job: a man so strong, dependable and trustworthy, that even in the worst affliction which Satan inflicted on him without a cause, he still would not give in to Satan. What a testimony! that is what God wants from all his children, especially, you and I! The way to have victory is to be trained - learning is key - just like the book of Hebrews says of Jesus: “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered” (Heb 5:8).

But God is faithful, and he will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength.

Afflictions are undesirable but they can be God's training ground for our victory. The book of Hebrews calls it chastisement and says, "But if you are without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons" (Heb 12:8).

However, the good news is in 1Cor 10:13: "No temptation has overtaken you that is unusual for human beings. But God is faithful, and he will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength. Instead, along with the temptation he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to endure it".

Victory and conquest come only by fighting war. If you run from war, you run from victory. As Christians, we do not fight for victory, we fight from victory, but it has a price! Are you preferred to attend this university?

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