HE COMFORTS US, WE COMFORT OTHERS
“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.” II Corinthians 1:3, 4
One of the most essential lessons in life is how to relate to our problems. So many things in our journey depend upon a growing understanding of how to walk with God and experience His grace in the difficult times of life. A treasure of wisdom concerning that subject is found in the Word of God. What is the source of genuine comfort? God is the “God of all comfort.”
If only the hurting would realize the comfort that can only come from God. He will often use people as His instruments to comfort us, but great comfort comes from God. It is helpful to know that our God knows what we are going through and how it is affecting us, and He stands ready to help us as no one else can.
His comfort knows no limitations, as He comforts us in “all our tribulation.” We learn to appreciate the descriptive word all in the Bible. There are no tribulations or trials in which He is not able to bring us comfort. We may think it is unbearable; and in our own strength, it may be. But the Lord wants, and is able to, comfort us in “all our tribulation.” It is the devil’s lie that tells us we cannot endure a particular trial, or that God has allowed more than grace is able to overcome. There are no trials so devastating that our God is not sufficient to comfort us.
We also know that this is not the end of God’s comfort. It is wonderful that God comforts us in our trials; but He has more in mind. He comforts us “that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” This is why it is so important that we experience God’s comfort in our tribulations. If we do not know His comfort, we will be subject to unnecessary sorrow and possible bitterness. And, if we do not know of His comfort firsthand, we will not be able to comfort others as we should. If you and I do not experience His comforting grace, how will we ever be able to offer it to others? One reason we go through difficult things is for others. It is part of the curriculum that we must learn if we are going to be equipped to help others.