Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Imagine being stranded in a foreign country after your husband and two sons have died. That’s exactly where Naomi found herself in the book of Ruth. She said, “The Almighty has afflicted me.”

Naomi realized that affliction is in some way connected to God, but she couldn’t see the big picture like we can. As we read Naomi’s story, we see that her situation eventually made her even more blessed and fruitful. Ultimately, the Savior came from her family line.

Unfortunately, like Naomi, we can’t see the end of the story while we’re living in the middle. You may be living through an affliction right now at work or with a parent or with a son or daughter. Would you remember that God is right there with you in your affliction?

He allows us to go through affliction so we can be more blessed and fruitful—just like Naomi. He knows the end of the story.

With Seeking Him, I’m Nancy Leigh DeMoss.