God, who is enthroned forever, will hear them and afflict them - men who never change their ways and have no fear of God. Psalm 55:19
Have you ever known someone who always seems to be afflicted with something? No matter how great things may be, he always seems to see the negative. Maybe he struggles with depression. Maybe life has dealt him a bad hand. Maybe he is simply a pessimist who likes to steal the attention - if only for a moment.
The surest way for him to remain afflicted is to merely stay where he is. Life will never seem to get better if he never moves - never attempts to change. His ways will always lead to the same dark place.
But there is hope. The affliction need not continue. God can and will meet him. God will heal him. God will bring him into the light. But it will require him to change.
Lord, I am that man who often sees the negative. No matter how much You have blessed me, I tend to get stuck in the dark. Help me to change my ways. Help me to see the hope You bring. Help me to continue on this path of freedom. I no longer want to go my way.
Help me to follow Yours.