“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ … who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Making sense of suffering is hard for almost every Christian. When we consider our own pain and when we know God’s ability to end it, we can get stuck in our thoughts. Confusion and questions persist. This was certainly the case for me. I remember a friend once commenting, “Your life sure seems to be filled with a lot of sadness.” She was right. I struggled at times to understand why God would allow it to happen. Didn’t He love me?
2 Corinthians 1 offers great insight into this question. The apostle Paul points out that when we experience suffering, we also will experience the comfort of God. This in turn becomes a reservoir from which we can comfort others in their suffering. But this doesn’t make us special; nor does it earn us an exemption from hardship later. It does, however, make us more like Jesus.
In His suffering, Jesus surrendered Himself to the will of His heavenly Father, and in turn He comforts us when we grieve. It is through His suffering that ours is redeemed and used to glorify God and help others carry their burdens.
2 Corinthians 1 offers great insight into this question. The apostle Paul points out that when we experience suffering, we also will experience the comfort of God. This in turn becomes a reservoir from which we can comfort others in their suffering. But this doesn’t make us special; nor does it earn us an exemption from hardship later. It does, however, make us more like Jesus.
In His suffering, Jesus surrendered Himself to the will of His heavenly Father, and in turn He comforts us when we grieve. It is through His suffering that ours is redeemed and used to glorify God and help others carry their burdens.
Scripture Focus
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Insight
Lord, please help me to look to Christ as my ultimate comforter. Grant me the power to comfort others when they suffer as well. Amen
Bible In A Year
- Leviticus 19-20
- Psalm 56
- Luke 20