The times of affliction which manifest as disappointments, failures of all sorts or ill health can trigger two things, namely:

1. The power of terminal thinking, an introspection that drives us God-ward (Psalms 38:9-22; Psalms 39; Psalms 50:16-20 and Psalms 141:3-5). Thomas ă Kempis (1379-1471) captured this well in his statement “Happy is he that always has the hour of his death before his eyes and daily prepares himself to die;” or

2. Lashing out and joining forces with critics and evil speakers of authority, falling prey to being disobedient, Romans 13:1-8 (note verse 8 particularly); 2 Tim. 2:1-3; and 1 Pet. 2:13-19. All such vituperation that is characterizing the society today only groups us as evil speakers (1 Cor. 6: 9,10; Rom. 1:30 and 2 Tim. 3:2) rather than being the salt of the earth as the Lord commands.

Let us be on guard for there are consequences (Psalm 50:16-22). Shalom.

But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? Seeing thou hatest instruction, and casteth my words behind thee. When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son. These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Psalms 50:16-22