By Dr. Lawrence Osifo
How to Destroy Evil Afflictions
Chapter One
The Reality of Afflictions
It was a quiet evening in the small village of Ogbe. Elder Osifo sat under the shade of a tall mango tree, speaking to a group of young men and women who had gathered to hear his words of wisdom. His voice carried the weight of experience, and his words, though simple, struck deep into their hearts.“Children,” he began, “life is full of afflictions. Job, the righteous man, once declared: ‘Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.’ This means that every human being, no matter how rich, poor, strong, or weak, will face problems in life.”A young man named Osagie raised his hand. “Elder, does it mean that even those who pray and serve God faithfully will still face afflictions?”Elder Osifo smiled and nodded. “Yes, my son. The righteous also face afflictions. The Bible says, ‘Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.’ But the difference is this: while the unrighteous struggle without hope, the righteous can overcome their afflictions by the power of the Holy Spirit.”Another voice came from the crowd. It was Amaka, a young lady who had recently lost her father. With tears in her eyes, she asked, “Elder, why does God allow afflictions at all?”The elder’s eyes softened. “My daughter, afflictions test our faith, build our character, and drive us closer to God. Look at Abraham: he faced barrenness with Sarah, yet he believed God’s promise. That faith destroyed his affliction. David faced enemies and battles, but by surrendering to the Holy Spirit, he overcame them. Afflictions are not meant to kill us but to refine us.”The villagers listened quietly, their hearts stirred. Elder Osifo leaned forward and said, “Remember this: afflictions are like storms. They come, but with the Holy Spirit as your anchor, you will never be destroyed.
”Reflection Questions – Chapter One
1. What does Job’s statement teach us about the reality of afflictions?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. Why do even righteous people face afflictions?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. How did Abraham destroy his affliction?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. What lesson can we learn from David’s response to his afflictions?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. How should we view afflictions in our own lives?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Chapter Two
The Path to Victory
Days later, the villagers returned, eager to hear more. Elder Osifo welcomed them warmly. This time, he opened with a story.“Once, a farmer’s donkey fell into a deep pit. The animal cried out, and the farmer, though sad, decided to bury it since he thought it could not be saved. He began to throw sand into the pit. But each time the sand landed on the donkey, it shook the sand off and stepped on it. Little by little, the donkey rose higher until it walked out of the pit alive and free. My children, this is how afflictions work. The devil throws problems at you, but if you shake them off and rise by the power of the Holy Spirit, you will come out victorious.”Osagie clapped his hands. “So afflictions can be stepping stones?”“Yes,” Elder Osifo replied. “Jesus Himself faced afflictions. In Gethsemane, He prayed in agony and said, ‘Not my will, but Yours be done, O Lord.’ That surrender removed His burden. Paul too had a thorn in his flesh, but when he surrendered to God, grace lifted him.”Amaka asked again, “But Elder, how do we practically overcome? What should we do when afflictions seem too heavy?”The elder answered firmly, “Three things:1. Believe in God’s promises – like Abraham did.2. Surrender to the Holy Spirit – like David did.3. Accept the will of God – like Jesus did.When you do these, afflictions lose their power over you.”The people nodded. Their faith grew stronger with every word.
Reflection Questions – Chapter Two
1. What lesson does the story of the donkey in the pit teach us?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. How did Jesus destroy His afflictions in Gethsemane?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. What role does the Holy Spirit play in overcoming afflictions?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. What three steps did Elder Osifo give for overcoming afflictions?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. How can afflictions become stepping stones in our lives?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Chapter Three
Living Above Afflictions
On the third evening, the villagers gathered again. The air was filled with anticipation. Elder Osifo raised his staff and spoke with authority.“My children, to destroy evil afflictions is not just about praying once. It is a way of life. Look at Job—he lost his wealth, health, and family. But when he repented in dust and ashes, God restored him double. Afflictions bowed before humility and repentance.”Osagie asked, “Elder, does that mean every time we sin, we open the door for afflictions?”The elder nodded. “Yes, son. Sin is a doorway. But repentance closes it. And when the Spirit of God takes control, afflictions have no resting place.”He paused and looked at the crowd intently. “Listen well: afflictions may come, but they do not last forever. Jesus bore our burdens, and when He said on the Cross, ‘It is finished,’ He broke the ultimate affliction of sin and death. That means every affliction in your life can also be destroyed.”Tears filled Amaka’s eyes, but this time they were tears of hope. “So Elder, if I continue to walk in the Spirit and trust God, my pains will not destroy me?”Elder Osifo smiled and placed his hand on her shoulder. “Yes, my daughter. As long as you surrender to the will of the Holy Spirit, you will live above afflictions. Troubles may come, but victory is certain.”The villagers rose with joy, clapping and singing. A new spirit of courage filled them. Elder Osifo’s final words rang in their hearts:“All your troubles will go when you resolve to do the will of the Holy Spirit.” Reflection
Questions – Chapter Three
1. What restored Job after his many afflictions?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. How does sin open the door to afflictions?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. What does Jesus’ statement ‘It is finished’ mean for our afflictions?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. What is the key to living above afflictions?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. What promise can we hold onto when facing afflictions?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Conclusion
Afflictions are real, but they are not permanent. Every human being faces them, but through faith, surrender, and obedience to the Holy Spirit, we can destroy every evil affliction. Abraham overcame by faith, David by surrender, Paul by submission, Job by repentance, and Jesus by yielding to God’s will. So too can we.
Glossary
1. Affliction – A problem, trouble, or suffering in life.
2. Holy Spirit – God’s Spirit who gives believers strength, comfort, and power to overcome.
3. Repentance – Turning away from sin with a sincere heart and seeking God’s mercy.
4. Surrender – To yield fully to God’s will, trusting Him above our own desires.
5. Righteous – A person who lives in obedience to God and seeks to do what is right.
6. Grace – God’s undeserved favour and strength that helps us overcome challenges.
7. Burden – A heavy load of worry, pain, or suffering.
8. Faith – Complete trust in God and His promises.
9. Victory – The act of overcoming or triumphing over problems and afflictions.
10. Thorn in the flesh – A metaphor used by Paul to describe persistent affliction or difficulty.