There’s no doubt some Christians seem to sail through life while others have a hard time. They go from one crisis to another. To our human mind it may seem unfair. We wonder what God is doing. How can He allow some people to suffer so? Have you ever felt like this? I know I have.
Paul gives some clues to this question in 2 Corinthians 1:1-11. We can take note of what Paul says because Paul is appointed to his task through Jesus Christ, verse 1.
Paul explains in this passage to the Corinthians and and also to us that God comforts us in our afflictions, verse 4. Those of us who have been, or who may be currently undergoing, hard times know this to be true. God does comfort his people, though His Word, through the Holy Spirit who lives within, through the practical and prayerful support of other Christians and through the words of hymns and Christian songs, just to mention a few. I was reminded of the comfort and power of music last night as I practiced songs for Sunday’s service.
Paul explains that how God comforts us in our afflictions has a purpose- that we may be able to comfort others when they go through hard times, verse 4. Sometimes that may be as simple a thing as a hug, a prayer and knowing there is a friend who cares, which is what I experienced this week from a dear friend.
We may wonder why God allows us to be subjected to certain trials, hardships and suffering. But it is in those trials that God comforts us. It is in the trials we draw can closer to God and can experience His peace knowing no matter what, He knows and is still in control. He also makes it possible for us to know how to comfort others in hard times.
Paul is not minimizing what the Corinthians are going through but neither does he want them to be unaware of the hardships he suffered in Asia, verse 8. Yet he wants them to know how God provided and could be trusted in all circumstances. We do other Christians no service if we pretend that all is fine and do not let them in to share our pain and to pray with and for us.
Hardships help to keep us dependant on God and not on ourselves, verse 9. God delivered us from death and sin through Jesus. He will deliver s from our present troubles, verse 10. We have God’s promise and assurance on this. But we still need to be in prayer about the situation and standing together with others to pray in times of suffering and hardship, verse 11. Is there someone you need to stop and pray for at this time or to call or visit and offer words of comfort and practical help?
Bible verses from The New American Standard Version
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