Suffering and Affliction

Where it surfaces

• 5: Lot in Sodom

  Lot's righteous soul was distressed by the sins of Sodom, and he faced scorn and strife.

• Plenty in the Time of Dearth

  The spiritual famine described represents a period of affliction and barrenness, which drives the soul to depend on God.

• The Bitter Waters

  The poem opens with the bitterness of desert waters, symbolizing the trials and sorrows of life that taste of sin and woe.

• Jehovah-Rophi—I Am the Lord That Healeth Thee

  The 'deep-wounded souls' and the plea for healing highlight the affliction of sin and doubt.

• 24: Samson's Lion

  The poem presents afflictions as a means of spiritual growth, bringing sweetness and comfort from trials.

• Oh That I Were as in Months Past!

  The speaker mourns the loss of joy and experiences deep spiritual anguish.

• The Change

  The speaker describes a 'stormy hour' of spiritual affliction, with joys put to flight and day turned to night.

• Pleading for Mercy

  The speaker describes physical and emotional anguish, including heavy groans, broken bones, anxious fears, and floods of tears.

• Dwelling in Mesech

  The speaker's life is filled with crosses, pains, cares, and snares, and he mourns for the deceived and the grieved Spirit.

• To the Afflicted, Tossed with Tempests, and Not Comforted

  The poem directly addresses the afflicted, tempest-tossed, comfortless soul, acknowledging present pain.

• The Contrite Heart

  The speaker experiences spiritual affliction, feeling insensible, weak, and without comfort, which is a form of suffering.

• The Future Peace and Glory of the Church

  The opening lines acknowledge the present afflictions and brokenness of God's people, which are contrasted with the future glory.

• Ephraim Repenting

  The 'sharp rebuke' and 'stroke' are instruments of divine discipline leading to repentance.

• Weeping Mary

  Mary's weeping and sorrow at the loss of her Lord illustrate the affliction of the faithful, but the poem promises that Jesus will wipe away tears.

• The Death of Stephen

  The chapter depicts the reality of persecution and martyrdom, yet frames it as an opportunity for divine comfort and heavenly vision.

• That Rock Was Christ

  Christ's suffering is contrasted with the physical rock; He was wounded, torn, and slain, enduring the wrath of God.

• Contentment

  The poem acknowledges troubles and griefs, but contrasts them with everlasting pain and Christ's own suffering, leading to patient endurance.

• Love Tokens

  Afflictions are presented as a voice from God, a means of discipline and a token of His love.

• Smyrna

  The hymn acknowledges the church's sorrows and trials, including poverty and imprisonment, but frames them as temporary and purposeful.

• The Little Book

  The chapter describes the bitterness that follows initial sweetness, including sin, Satan's threats, God's afflictions, and human reviling.

• New Year's Hymns

  The hymns acknowledge the sorrows and trials of life, including death, war, and the consequences of sin, but point to God as a refuge.

• Death and War. 1778

  The poem describes 'crops of sorrow' and the devastating effects of war, including death and desolation, as afflictions experienced by the land.

• The Shunammite

  The Shunammite's grief over her son's death and the spiritual deadness of sinners.

• Travailing in Birth for Souls

  The chapter vividly describes the pain and grief faithful preachers endure when their efforts seem fruitless and hearts remain hard.

• Paul's Farewell Charge

  The weeping at parting reflects the affliction of separation, yet it is tempered by divine comfort.

• Winter

  The spiritual winter represents a period of affliction and barrenness, a common theme in Christian experience.

• Waiting for Spring

  Believers experience spiritual winters that test and refine them.

• Spring

  The speaker is oppressed with sin and doubt, experiencing a spiritual winter that external beauty cannot alleviate.

• Summer Storms

  The poem describes the sudden storms of temptation and trouble that afflict believers, causing fear, trembling, and loss of hope.

• Prayer for the Continuance of the Gospel

  The chapter acknowledges the trials, pain, and cares that press upon the believers, yet finds that the gospel sweetens all afflictions.

• Prayer for a Revival

  The poem describes the affliction of spiritual drought, decline, and blighted hopes, and the suffering of the church.

• Sacramental Hymns

  The crucifixion is vividly portrayed, and believers are encouraged to bear their lighter crosses in light of Christ's suffering.

• Jesus Hasting to Suffer

  The poem focuses on Christ's impending suffering and the believer's own 'lighter cross' to bear.

• Providences

  The hymns acknowledge the trials and conflicts of life, but point to the rest and relief found in Christ.

• 67: The Hiding-Place. Feb. 10, 1779

  The gathering cloud and times of trouble represent affliction and judgment.

• On the Earthquake. Sept. 8, 1775

  The earthquake brings shock and fear, serving as a form of affliction meant to prompt repentance.

• Funeral Hymns

  The hymns acknowledge the trials and weariness of life, but they point to the rest and relief that await in heaven.

• On the Death of a Believer

  The poem acknowledges the sorrow of loss and the daily pain of missing the departed, while also affirming that God can repair every breach and wipe away tears.

• The Day of Judgment

  Believers are encouraged to endure present sorrows and reproaches with the assurance that God's great day will turn their sighs into praise.

• Lightning in the Night

  The speaker's pain is aggravated by the brevity of comfort, yet he is encouraged not to murmur.

• On the Eclipse of the Moon. July 30, 1776

  The eclipse symbolizes the darkness and gloom experienced by Christ in Gethsemane and the believer's own seasons of spiritual darkness.

• Book III: On the Rise, Progress, Changes, and Comforts of the Spiritual Life

  The Christian life involves trials and conflicts, but these are overruled by God for good and lead to eternal comfort.

• Alarm

  The chapter vividly portrays the eternal suffering awaiting sinners in the burning lake, emphasizing the severity of divine judgment.

• Rest for Weary Souls

  The speaker describes being burdened with sin, harassed with doubts, and experiencing conflicts within and crosses without.

• III: Conflict

  The chapter extensively portrays trials, crosses, and chastisement as means of sanctification and deeper reliance on God.

• Welcome Cross

  Trials are seen as necessary and beneficial, sent by God to sanctify and draw the believer to Him.

• Afflictions Sanctified by the Word

  The poem portrays affliction as a divine tool that leads the speaker to repentance and salvation.

• Mourning and Longing

  The chapter depicts the spiritual affliction of feeling abandoned by God and the struggle with worldly distractions.

• Prayer for Patience

  The poem deals with enduring personal suffering and the temptation to murmur, while recognizing that Christ's suffering was far greater.

• Submission

  The speaker mentions life, health, and comfort being resigned to God's will, implying trials and the need to accept them.

• The Benighted Traveler

  The speaker's experience of being 'lost, benighted, struck with dread' and walking a 'painful path' when Christ's presence is withdrawn is a profound description of spiritual affliction.

• The Prisoner

  The speaker's profound spiritual distress is depicted as imprisonment, with mourning, fruitless grief, and a pensive spirit fainting.

• Perplexity Relieved

  The speaker experiences deep spiritual anguish, fear, and despair, which are part of the affliction that leads to reliance on God.

• Prayer Answered by Crosses

  The speaker experiences inward trials and outward crosses as the means by which God answers his prayer for grace and faith.

• I Will Trust and Not Be Afraid

  Acknowledges tribulation and pain as part of the believer's path, but sees them as working for good.

• The Pilgrim's Song

  The wilderness journey is marked by griefs, cares, pains, and fears, yet these are temporary and will be amply compensated by eternal joy.

• IV: Comfort

  The chapter acknowledges earthly trials and sorrows, but frames them as temporary and overcome by divine comfort.