1-3 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
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For two or three years after I was born again, I attended a faith-movement type church. In that we were taught that we should not have any "afflictions" and that troubles were from devil and we had authority over devils.
That doctrine is incorrect.
As Christians we will have troubles but God helps us deal with all afflictions of this present life. So our hope is in God and not in ourselves as we live here.
Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
John 16:33 Jesus said: These things I have spoken unto you, that in ME ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
We overcome in each trouble because God helps us. We have in us the Holy Spirit who guides us and reminds us of things of God in the midst of the trouble to help us and to show us the will of God in the problem. We have the comfort of the Holy Spirit who is the Comforter, and the Holy Scriptures. Jesus sits at right hand of God and intercedes for us. Romans 8 The Holy Spirit also intercedes for us in the trouble.
Therefore we overcome in each trouble by God and all the help HE has provided for us.
But we do have trouble as long as we live on this present earth and as long as we have flesh for bodies, for by our flesh are emotions that cause trouble and physical pain.
But the Spirit in us is greater than our flesh and other enemies.
I John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is HE that is in you, than he that is in the world.
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I Thessalonians 3:4-13 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
To the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all HIS saints.
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