Your Trials, Divine Comfort and Your Role

Daily Devotional – Tuesday, October 8, 2022
…who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
2 Corinthians 1:4 (NIV)

When the first-time mother lost her newborn baby, she was inconsolable.

“I am sorry for your situation. I understand what you are going through.” A visitor said.

“What do you understand? Have you ever lost a newborn firstborn child?” The distraught women retorted angrily.

Beyond Our Ability to Endure

It took the intervention of a mother who had lost a child a few years before to bring comfort to the bereaved mother. Because she had gone through a similar experience, the second woman knew how to comfort the grieving woman.

The second woman in this illustration is similar to Apostle Paul, who writes, “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death.” (2 Corinthians 1:8-9)

God Comforts us in all our Troubles

According to Paul, however, these sufferings were not in vain. God had a noble purpose not only for Paul and his team, but also for other Christians. He begins by thanking “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” (Verse 3) for delivering His servants repeatedly (verse 10).

More significantly, Paul notes that God “comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (Verse 4). In essence, God allows Paul to suffer so that when He comforts the apostle, Paul would comfort others going through similar experiences.

Misery for Others to Benefit

Now you can see why personal testimonies are important. When people hear your story, they will be comforted and encouraged. Their faith in God will increase. Because of you have patiently endured your trials and triumphed by God’s grace, you now become an agent of God’s goodness.

You can tell those who listen and marvel at your story, “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.” (Verse 6).

Your Trials, Divine Comfort and Your Role

Today, tell your story to someone who needs encouragement and comfort. Let that person know that God will do them good as He did to you. Make your experience count by pointing others to the loving God of all comfort.

Prayer

Lord Jesus. Thank You for the trials You have allowed me to undergo. Help me comfort and encourage others who are going through trials.