Comfort

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-6 (NIV)

I’m living today in the middle of some serious irony. It’s incredibly ironic to me that what I have been preaching for the past three or four months is now taking place in my own life.

I know, I know: I should not be surprised by this trial. As a pastor, I see suffering taking place on a daily basis. I listen to people tell stories about how their worlds are falling apart. I spend time praying with those who are searching for answers and hope in the middle of their crazy worlds. And I know that I am not exempt from anything and am probably an even bigger target because of the work God has called me to do.

But for some reason, I’ve been totally caught off guard by this turn in my own road. (I am aware that most of you have no idea what I am writing about and that is okay. YOU DON’T NEED TO KNOW IN ORDER TO PRAY. I just ask you to pray for me and my family.)

So today the Lord reminded me of my own words spoken in a sermon on the above passage. I preached this at Capstone on October 21, 2007:


As Christ-followers, there are dilemmas in our faith, those times that it doesn’t all make sense – some tension between truths. This passage presents one. Even though God is the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, we are never promised exemption from suffering. We will suffer and we must recognize that the hard times are coming. Look at verse four: “Praise be to the God of all comfort . . . who comforts us IN all our troubles.” (2 Cor. 1:4) It does not say “who keeps us from having any troubles.” Troubles will come --- guarantee in every life. Warren Weirsbe says that “when a day begins you never know how it’s going to end.” Even Jesus’ most devoted followers are not promised exemption from the troubles of life.

The reality of this truth is really shocking to some people. We think, “Come on, God. I’m on your team now. I’ve given my life to you. I’ve quit all those bad things I used to do. I’ve devoted my life to you --- can’t you give me a break?” But we’re not promised a break. We’re promised comfort.

Verse 5 says: “For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives…” The Greek verb translated "to flow over" means "to exceed the measure." What Paul is saying is that not only does God not spare us from suffering, but he actually permits suffering to flow over into our lives for a greater purpose.

Wait a minute --- God wants me to suffer? If your suffering will complete His work and His purpose for your life and the lives of others, then the answer to that question has to be “yes.” That doesn’t make sense. Why would a loving God allow that to happen? We have to see the view from God’s perspective. Think about Jesus: Jesus had to suffer for God’s work to be completed in Him. Paul had to suffer in order to personally experience the comfort of Jesus so that God could use him to tell us about it. We suffer so that God’s work may be completed in us.


The reality of the very words I spoke hit me today: “We’re not promised a break. We’re promised comfort.”

I’m holding God to that promise.