Fruitful in Affliction Land

“For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” Genesis 41:52 (b)

These words are associated with the naming of Joseph’s second son, Ephraim, who arrived on the scene before the seven years of famine. Joseph, after years of horrible setbacks, was asked by King Pharaoh to oversee the gathering of food in Egypt in anticipation of the drought years ahead, as foretold in Pharaoh’s dreams, interpreted by Joseph.

While Egypt represented years of affliction for Joseph, including his brothers’ betrayal, slave labor, false accusations and imprisonment, Joseph’s miraculous turnaround happened right there…in the land of his affliction.

I think we’re prone to assume that God is going to take us out of Affliction Land as he delivers us, but sometimes he wants to make us fruitful right where we are…in the middle of the mess.

We know God has the power to heal, and we’ve seen His healing touch many times. Sometimes with medical help and sometimes without it. Sometimes relocation is part of the equation, and sometimes it’s not. And sometimes God gives amazing stamina to endure affliction and to live very fruitful lives in spite of it.

In her twenties my younger sister Sheryl was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Now approaching 70 next month, her diagnosis remains, but she has lived a tremendously fruitful life as an elementary Christian school teacher, calligrapher, artist, queen of hospitality, wife, mother of three and grandmother of six.

While there have been seasons of remission, she has dealt courageously with this disease for decades and has remained mobile, persistent, caring and adventuresome. Her condition requires that she pace herself and rest when needed, but it is truly amazing to see all that she has accomplished despite her MS affliction.

We continue to be inspired in seeing God make so many people fruitful—even while still living in the land of their affliction.