“Praise be to God…, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4
If you are undergoing suffering, spend some time reading the first nine chapters of 2 Corinthians. You will resonate with knowing the comfort and encouragement of God through dark times.
The Christians I speak to who are facing difficulty never say they enjoy the suffering. It is painful while it happens. But often afterward they see the good that has come out of it. Through faith, they have been comforted by God in each step of their distressing ordeal. Like just about any kind of training, no discipline is pain-free when it happens. The reward comes later when we are drawn closer to Jesus. Then the reward continues because we understand what others are going through. We have been there ourselves. We can enter into a deeper friendship because, as C.S. Lewis wrote, we say, “What! You too? I thought that no one but myself…”
The pain of suffering may seem endless at the time, but it brings patient endurance and the everlasting comfort of Christ, comfort which can overflow to others for a long time to come.



Scripture Focus

2 Corinthians 1:3-6

Insight

You may still suffer, but in a little while you will know the full extent of Christ’s comforting grace!

Bible In A Year

  • Numbers 12-13
  • Psalm 67
  • John 8

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