“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. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:1–5
“We all know people who have been made much meaner, more irritable and more intolerable to live with by suffering. It is not right to say that all suffering perfects. It only perfects one type of person…the one who accepts the call of God in Christ Jesus.” Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest
We all have a choice when it comes to suffering. We may choose between bitterness or holiness as a reaction to suffering. According to Philippians 1:29, God has given us the ability to suffer alongside Jesus in addition to believing in Him. God gives us the gift of sharing in Christ’s suffering in the same manner that He has given us the gift of faith in Jesus.
Why would God want His children to suffer as a part of His mission? As earthly parents, our natural tendency is to shield our kids from pain and suffering. However, since we care about them, we are aware that occasionally their pain serves a purpose. We understand the bigger gain by looking past the short-term suffering because we are wiser than our children. How much more can God alleviate our sorrow by doing the same?
Paul emphasizes two primary components of God’s mission in suffering in this verse. First, as
we suffer, we become more closely identified with Christ. Suffering will result in a closer relationship with our Savior if we choose holiness. If we rebel against God’s methods, we shall encounter Him in ways we never would. Second, suffering enables us to serve others in a special way. We are able to console people more effectively because we personally experience God’s comfort during suffering. Nobody can truly understand the sorrow, sadness, and difficulty of a widow, a parent who has lost a child, or a person fighting a terminal illness.
Every obstacle presents us with a decision. Will you reject God’s invitation through Christ to know Him and share Him with others, or will you surrender to Him and show your trust in Him?
Prayer: Father, You are wise in all that You do. I am aware that I need not fear Your work in my life. I sincerely ask forgiveness for the times when I questioned Your goodness and resisted Your will. Please expel any repressed rage or resentment from my heart. I want to live out the calling You have given me to know Jesus and share Him with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
