One constant in life is that we all face various kinds of hardship and afflictions.  Where do we turn for hope? Let’s dig into a passage with great encouragement for us.    

“Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.  If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.  Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.  For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia.  For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.  Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death.  But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.  He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.”  2 Corinthians 1:3-10. 

This passage has six wonderful encouragements for us in our afflictions:

• God’s comforts us in all our affliction (v.4).  Paul blesses God because He is “the Father of mercies” and “God of all comfort” (v.3).  Our Heavenly Father comforts his children with tender mercies.  God is not distant or disinterested in our affliction.  He is a very present help in time of trouble (Ps 46:1).  He knows our sorrow and situation intimately.  We experience God’s comfort personally in all our affliction.  He never takes a day off.  He is never idle.  He is our help, strength, consolation, refuge, encouragement, sustainer and hope.  In all we face in life, God is our comfort! 

• God’s comfort is universal in application (v.4).  Paul says that God “comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction…”  God comforts us not in some, but in all our affliction – whatever it may be.  The source of affliction changes from person to person.  Everything from cancer to car accidents.  But the source of comfort is the same.  God.  That is why we can “comfort those in ANY affliction” – even if we haven’t personally experienced it.  God’s comfort is meant to be shared with others as we bear one another’s burdens.   The comfort we receive from God equips us to comfort others in any kind of affliction. 

• God comforts us in proportion to our suffering (v.5).  Abundant suffering is met with abundant comfort (v.5).  This is the reason (“for”) that we are able to share God’s comfort with others. It is encouraging that as we share in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we also share in comfort.  Sharing in abundant suffering means sharing in abundant comfort as well!  God will not lead you into suffering without simultaneously providing His comfort to you.  Will it be enough?  Yes!  God encourages us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:9).  We receive comfort in proportion to our suffering. 

• God’s comfort in affliction has a redemptive purpose (v.6).  Not only for our good (Rom 8:28-30), but for the good of others as well.  There is kingdom purpose in our suffering: the salvation and strengthening of others (v.6).  Our sovereign God uses suffering as a means of advancing His kingdom (cf. 2 Cor 4:7-15).  This gives tremendous significance to our suffering.  In God’s providence, we never suffer without a redeeming purpose. 

• God’s comfort is a promise we can count on (v.7).  Paul writes, “Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.”  His hope for them is unshaken because he is certain God will comfort them.  There is no doubt in Paul’s theology that Christians will experience God’s comfort in their suffering (v.7-11).  God will comfort us even as he leads us through trials.  This is a promise we can count on!  

• God has the power to see you through all your affliction (v.8-10).  So, you can depend on Him.  Paul shares how they were “so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.”  And while your circumstances are likely far different – your God is the same.  The purpose “was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.”  Paul reasons with the solid logic of heaven: If God can raise the dead, then he can deliver or sustain you and I in any affliction.  And this gives us a rock-solid hope (v.10)

No matter what you are facing today, be encouraged by these truths.  As you trust and depend on God, the Father of mercies, He will certainly comfort and sustain you!  Take refuge in Him!  One means of comfort we see here is our fellow believers.  Seek the ministry of the body to share God’s comfort with you.  Finally, as God enables you, seek to minister the comfort you have received to others.  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction.” Amen!