Affliction that Keeps Me on the Way

When I think of some circumstances I have had in my life that I really did not want, I realize that I have them so that I may become closer to You, Lord. Your word in Psalms 119:71 says, “I am glad that I was afflicted so that I may learn your decrees.” I realize that I do not want to deal with some situations, but, when I take a closer look, I see that I need them. I desperately need them to keep me closer to You. Without them, I realize that I can stray from the Way. To overcome the situations, I realize that I must be able to follow the Way closely without having the situation present. If the situation is removed, will I stay on the course of the Way as closely as I am with the situation? If I answer no, I need the situation just as Paul needed a stone in his side. The circumstances that I deal with are not for my fleshly or worldly pleasures and desires, but to keep me narrowly on the Way. Let me be strong in You, O Lord.