14 Types of Biblical Affliction

Mark Driscoll, in his book Who Do You Think You Are?, (which is an edited collection of his sermons on Ephesians), gives a very helpful list of the main types of affliction one finds in Scripture. Whether you like Driscoll or not, if you're struggling with affliction, meaning, you feel like you are suffering from a circumstance outside of your control. Or maybe you're not sure why you are suffering - I think you'll find these categories useful for gaining understanding of your situation.

Here they are in summary form:

1. Adamic Affliction: We were all born into a fallen world with a sin nature, inherited from Adam.
2. Punishment Affliction: God judges unbelievers and punishes them for sin. (example: Sodom and Gomorrah, Pharaoh, Egypt).
3. Consequential Affliction: Sometimes we suffer because of foolish decision (see Proverbs).
4. Demonic Affliction: Satan is alive and at work in the world, though sometimes demonic suffering can be difficult to discern.
5. Victim Affliction: The result of being sinned against.
6. Collective Affliction: Sometimes we suffer as a result of being part of a people who are suffering (OT prophets).
7. Disciplinary Affliction: God chastens believers in order to mature them (Heb. 12:7).
8. Vicarious Affliction: Sometimes those in Christ suffer because the ungodly oppose them.
9. Empathetic Affliction: Suffering that comes when someone we love is hurting.
10. Testimonial Affliction: Some suffering is a demonstration of the gospel so that others will have a deeper appreciation and understanding of Jesus.
11. Providential Affliction: Some suffer to teach a lesson about God so that worship of Him increases (Joseph's imprisonment in Egypt).
12. Preventative Affliction: Suffering that warns us of greater suffering that will happen if we don't heed God's warnings.
13. Mysterious Affliction: Sometimes God, in His providence, has chosen not to reveal why we suffer (i.e. Job).
14. Apocalyptic Affliction: Increased suffering that will signal the end of this age.

Helpful categories that protect against tendencies to assign one reason or motive to whatever affliction of the moment one faces.