Comfort in Suffering

II Corinthians 1:1–11
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The apostle Paul and Timothy write this letter to the church in Corinth and the saints scattered throughout Achaia (v. 1). He states he is praying that God and the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to them and bless them with peace (v. 2). Have you ever wondered, why do the righteous suffer? Suffering is the result of Adam’s original sin which plunged humanity into misery. Paul teaches why it is necessary for the Christian to pass through fiery trials and how Christ is always merciful to us (vv. 3-4). There are some sufferings that we endure simply because we are human; but there are other sufferings that come because we are God’s children and are serving Him (vv. 5-6). The Corinthians were exposed to testing, not because they were especially wicked, but because tribulation is the portion of all believers, and he knew they would be comforted by the Lord (v.7).  

Paul goes on to state that their sufferings were so horrible and so unbearable that death seemed certain, but it made them trust more in God as He saved them from death (vv. 8-10). He asks the Corinthians to pray for him (v. 11). God must work in us before He can work through us. In times of suffering, most of us are prone to think only of ourselves and to forget others. However, suffering can help us minister to others.

Application

When have I, because of God’s comfort in a previous struggle, been able to comfort someone else in a similar situation? I need to look for opportunities!