Psalm 119:67 & 71 say, “Before I was afflicted I went astray. But now I keep your word…. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.” This idea of affliction is the same Hebrew word in both verses and means “extra labor, oppression, depression, etc.” Someone said in the past that pain is an effective teacher. But that’s true only if we’re paying attention! Affliction can help us return to God’s Word and make us more teachable. May God give us ears to hear his lessons with or without affliction.