Afflict

I am familiar with the word "afflict" and have seen it in scriptures like Matthew 24:9:

9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

To me being afflicted was when something not pleasant would happen - like being stuck in traffic, having a relative get cancer, or someone being mean to you. In reference to this verse, it made sense that bad things would come your way while being a Christian from people who were against Christianity. It felt like the natural order of things even though when it actually would happen I have been guilty of asking "why me?"

What is interesting is the first several verse in the Old Testament that say something more like Numbers 29:7:

7 ¶ And ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls: ye shall not do any work therein:

What in the world was this talking about? Does "afflict" mean more than just a forecast of unfortunate things to come?

According to dictionary.com the definition for "afflict" is:

1. to distress with mental or bodily pain; trouble greatly orgrievously

2. Obsolete

a. to overthrow; defeat.

b. to humble.

This definition speaks of humbling yourself - that you are to become teachable. It brings a new light to my previous thought that afflict just means for bad things to happen. Instead, I think this word really means for bad things to happen with a reason. The reason is to humble us so we could then be brought to Christ.

When we are afflicted in our life it isn't just something to be endured, it is something to turn our hearts to our Savior.