
The Apostle Paul began his second letter to the Corinthian Church with a simple greeting. He introduces himself as an apostle by the will of God in verse one and prays for God's grace and peace towards the church in verse two. By verse three, Paul writes about a topic that often separates believers from non-believers. Paul writes about suffering.
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 tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
(II Corinthians 1:3-4 NKJV)
The early Christians were no strangers to suffering. The threat of persecution loomed over their heads at all times, and death was always a very possible result of their faith. Yet, they believed and followed the teachings of Christ. Their suffering did not cause them to lose faith. On the contrary, it caused them to lean into their faith more intensely.
For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,
(II Corinthians 1:8-9 NKJV)
Paul said that the suffering was so severe that it caused them not to trust in themselves but to trust in God. Paul and the early believers were pushed beyond their comfort. Their suffering was so heavy that Paul described it as a death sentence. But it did not cause them to turn away from the Lord. Instead, as he stated, the sufferings caused them to put their trust in God. This is the case for many today.
When life pushes us past our physical, mental, or emotional strength, we seek relief in the Lord. We do this because we know no other source of comfort will suffice. Any other remedy to comfort us outside of God is, at best, a temporary comfort. But when someone believes God could have prevented suffering, but failed to intervene, they may blame God for their suffering. They may resent God or even hate him for not stopping their pain. This person will not turn to God in their suffering as Paul did. Instead, they will either deny the existence of God or perhaps believe God exists but that he does not care for them or love them.
Yet, Paul believed God loved him immensely despite his constant sorrows. He also believed nothing could separate him from that love—not life, death, angels, principalities, height, or death (Romans 8:37-39). Some believe that if God loves us, then we should not suffer, but Paul did not believe God’s love cancels out suffering, nor did he think that suffering cancels out God’s love. Paul believed God’s love and our suffering could exist in harmony.
Furthermore, Paul believed that some sufferings are for the benefit of others. He wrote, “If we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation …” (2 Corinthians 1:6). Experience grants us education. So, when believers experience suffering, they become educated on how to comfort others when they face the same trials. Therefore, we can find comfort in our fellow brothers and sisters. But in addition to comfort from our peers, we have comfort from God.
In verse three, Paul called God the Father of Mercies and the God of all Comfort. God holds comfort in the palm of his hand. He lords over mercy and relief. He and he alone distributes comfort to those who call upon him in the middle of their pain. Paul states, “We know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.” (2 Corinthians 1:7). Paul knew that if God caused us to suffer, He would also cause us to be comforted.
Yet, suffering is a complex concept to accept. No one desires to suffer—not even Jesus. We know he asked God to take the bitter cup of suffering away from him in Luke 22:42, so it’s normal to ask God to take away our suffering; Christ can relate to it, and he understands. But if we view suffering through a divine lens instead of a worldly one, we will see its benefits and why it is imperative for all to endure.
Paul and the early believers were pushed so deeply into suffering that they could not comfort themselves. I imagine no other brother or sister could have comforted them, either. They were forced to rest in God's comfort. The same is true for us today. Suffering is the odd yet amazing way the Lord causes us to find comfort in him when comfort cannot be found elsewhere. When there is no other option for relief, when comfort has been sought after repeatedly with no true escape, we are made aware that God truly is our only source of relief. We are forced to turn to The Father of Mercies and the God of all Comfort.
And we certainly need a God of Comfort to deal with the various sufferings we face in this life. Sicknesses and diseases of the body are one form of suffering. We know God can comfort us in the sickness or he can completely heal us from them. However he chooses to comfort us is full of wisdom, even if we don’t understand. Mental illnesses, trauma, and emotional damage are also infirmities that that we can receive comfort from. He is, as the text states, the God of all comfort.
But one form of comfort that we tend to overlook in Western Christianity is the comfort of salvation. Temptation will likely present itself unto us until our dying day. Some people may always suffer in their temptation—a drunkard’s flesh may suffer from the lack of alcohol, a gluttonous individual may suffer under the control of discipline, and a sexually immoral person’s flesh may suffer when they choose to walk in God’s will.
Spiritual suffering is part of the believer’s walk. The temptation to do what our flesh desires instead of what the Holy Spirit desires will always be present. This internal war occurs within us daily. Denying the flesh is a form of suffering, but there is consolation in salvation. Knowing that we have victory through Christ means we are saved despite the suffering; therefore, we are comforted. God comforts us in our spiritual suffering. The Holy Spirit encourages us to stay within God’s will, we are provided with a way of escape from temptation, and we are comforted by the Comforter that God sent to the saints.
The God of all Comfort and the Father of Mercies will grant us the comfort we need. Jesus bore so much suffering that he was referred to as “a man of sorrows acquainted with grief” in Isaiah 53:3. Again, with experience comes education. So, Jesus knows exactly how to comfort every affliction we carry because he bore them all on the cross. And if his experience alone doesn’t bring you confidence, his infinite wisdom in all things certainly should be enough to encourage you that you will be comforted despite your sufferings.
Be encouraged in the words of Paul, “ … as you are partakers of sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.” You will be comforted. God cannot lie. You will be comforted. The Holy Spirit is a Comforter. You will be comforted. If you are God’s, that same Holy Spirit lives within you. You will be comforted. God is the Father of Mercies. You will be comforted. God is the God of all Comfort … not some comfort, not a bit of comfort, but of all comfort.
Be encouraged, dear reader. By the divine will of God, the intercession of Christ, and the working of the Holy Spirit, you will be comforted.
Thank you for reading this week's Write On! Wednesday article. More articles are on the blog for your encouragement. Feel free to browse and read to your satisfaction. If you are interested in Christian Fiction or Christian Nonfiction, visit www.amazon.com/author/quinarrington.
May God bless you and keep you.
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