Craig Clouston

 Afflicted

September 12

It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.

Psalm 119:71

Rolf had contracted Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome from a blood

transfusion he’d received in the early eighties, before the CDC began testing

for the AIDS virus. He’d lived independently for quite a long time, but recent

increased severity in his symptoms had forced Rolf to give up the freedom he

cherished and move into a nursing facility. He was a straight-talking kinda guy,

used to saying what was on his mind; today he was saying he didn’t like this

confounded nursing home he was confined to! His caseworker, Kari, had taken

an instant liking to him.

During the intake, she’d asked Rolf how he’d contracted AIDS. He’d told

her he’d gotten the virus through a transfusion he received during a surgery

in 1982. Unaware the blood was contaminated, the virus had been discov-

ered through a blood test in 1997 when Rolf had had an extended bronchial

infection.

He told Kari he’d spent the first year angry at the world. Then someone

had given him a Bible, and he’d begun reading it. He confided to Kari that had

it not been for the AIDS virus, he might never have found Jesus Christ. Reach-

ing over to his nightstand, Rolf grabbed that very Bible and, looking directly

into Kari’s eyes, said, “I want you to have this. Read it and ask God to show you

what it means. I promise you He will.”

She did, and He had. Kari cried tears of joy and sorrow at Rolf ’s funeral,

thankful God had sent him to show her the way to Jesus.

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Affliction can be devastating. But it can also be life changing. When we’ve

been brought to the end of our own strength, we must learn to rely on someone

greater than ourselves, as in Rolf ’s case, God.

In truth, we are all afflicted. Every one of us has a deadly disease that we

cannot cure ourselves: sin. And only God can take away this affliction and

that can only happen once we discover our need and ask for healing. Have you

asked God to heal your affliction?

Prayer

“Lord, set me free from the affliction of sin. Remove all vestiges

of it from my life by the blood of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.”