The Source of Comfort (2 Corinthians 1)
12:30 PM
Reading for Thursday: 2 Corinthians 1
Paul, who was well acquainted with trials, pain, suffering and discomfort knew where to find comfort. He didn’t turn to “creature comforts” which the world has to offer. He found his comfort, instead, from the source “ of all comfort”. Even in the midst of difficulty, his focus on God provided him with the comfort he needed to endure and also to be a comfort to others.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (v3-4)
There is always purpose in any discomfort or trial that God allows us to experience. In fact, I’ve heard it said that every testimony involves a test. God’s love may help us be sympathetic toward others which allows us to feel compassion, sorrow, or pity for the hardships they are dealing with. But, by enduring difficult experiences ourselves, we can develop an even more important expression of ministry called empathy. Empathy is the ability to put yourself in another’s shoes. For example, I can sympathize with someone who has lost a parent but I have not personally lost a parent and can only imagine what that experience is like. I can empathize, however with someone who has experienced their parents going through a traumatic divorce because I have personally experienced that. This personal experience allows me to connect with another at a more intimate level.
Personal experience of hardships allows us a unique opportunity to minister to and comfort someone going through similar experiences.
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view -- until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” Harper Lee
Because God has comforted and guided us through our trial, we can then encourage that person to turn to God for their comfort and personal guidance.
Some trials are extremely difficult and threaten to defeat us through depression, fear, anxiety and despair. These are the trials, however that can grow our faith the most because we have to learn to wholly depend on God. Paul knew such trials and he wanted to share that with others to encourage their faith and help them to endure.
“For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” (v8-9) I don’t know about you, but when I read about what Paul endured and how strong his faith remained it encourages my own faith tremendously. Imagine how encouraging it can be to others when we share our own faith building experiences. Paul also asked for prayer. Praying for others is such a powerful tool of support and comfort.
God loves us and comforts us and in turn, we are empowered to comfort others. May I encourage you to view the trials you have endured as opportunities for you to minister to others. Your experience and empathy can be used to bolster the faith walk of another through their own difficult times. God wants us to connect with others, encourage their faith and use what we have endured to glorify Him.
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