Trials, tribulations, disappointments, and griefs are regularly part of our lives for one reason or another. We tend to struggle through them. Scripture, however, gives much to help us as we deal with those on both an emotional and a spiritual level. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 is instrumental in that: “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
The focus of this verse is God. He is to be blessed for Who He is – the Father of mercies – and what He does – comforts. That certainly puts our focus where it should be, not on ourselves and our pain, but on the One we need in the midst of it. He is the One Who does what we cannot do – comfort ourselves.
That words comfort, comforteth, and comforted are similar Greek words (paraklēsis, parakaleō) to the Greek word for Holy Spirit (paraklētos) Who is according to Strong’s Expository Dictionary definition: ‘an intercessor, consoler: — advocate, comforter.’ In our sadnesses, hurts, and disappointment we crave comfort! God in His mercy provides that for us.
Have you noticed in yourself or someone else how God’s comfort can be rejected? We probably wouldn’t outright say that, but by our actions we appear to want to stay wrapped up in ourselves with our pain. We allow the hurts and grieving to consume us, focusing on our pain, rather than accepting God’s comfort. We might push back from the one offering us sympathy and love by saying, “No one understands how I feel.” That person could be the very one whom God has comforted so they can comfort us. We won’t move our mind to God, His Word, and listening to Him but think instead, “I will never get over this.” We cry buckets of tears letting “Why did this happen to me?” run over and over in our minds. In each of those scenarios God wants to comfort through the truth of His Word and Spirit, but it is rejected.
2 Corinthians tells us there is more to God’s comfort than simply for our need and our good. He does it so we can comfort others who find themselves with the same tribulation we have gone through. I remember well the pain and heartache in my own heart when our first grandchild died, just three days after her birth. Even more than that, though, was the grief of our son and daughter-in-law in the loss of their first baby. Seventeen years later, their pain is still there, but we see the spiritual growth in their lives as they let God comfort them. In addition, they have been able to do just what this verse says will happen —comfort others with the comfort they received. They can do that because they walked in the shoes of the one they are comforting. They understand the depth of the loss and the intensity of the grief, like no one else can understand. They let God do what He wanted to do in their hearts, and now they are vessels He uses for comforting.
May I encourage to let God comfort you when you find yourself in a trial or tribulation. It might be the loss of a loved on, a health set back, a rebellious child, financial problems, relationship struggles, and so much more. Whatever it is, God says He comforts us in all our tribulation.
Trusting Jesus,
Teri Maxwell
PS. Our news! (Steve here) Dear Mommies, hang in there. Bless you bless you for being a homeschooling mommie. I love this dear woman and can you believe we are celebrating God’s blessing of 50 years of marriage? She is a faithful woman, so very very precious to me. God is so good, always good always and worthy of our highest praise. So dear ladies stay the course.