Tag: 2 Corinthians 1

In the Same Shoes

2 Corinthians 1-4

Devotion by Merry Peterson (Canada)

2 Corinthians 1:3-4  “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 tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (NKJV)

Been there, done that.  Experience is a wise teacher.  We wish we didn’t have to go through trials because let’s face it – they are trying times!  But what if your experience through trials was meant to help someone else when they are going through a similar trying time?  The Apostle Paul in this verse is bringing to light the fact that we go through trials and afflictions with God’s help and comfort so that we – in turn can be of help and comfort to others who are going through something similar.

Think about all the afflictions the Apostle Paul had gone through when he was writing to the believers at Corinth.  He had been blinded and received back his sight, he had been rejected by fellow believers, he had been through scary situations with mobs, and had misfortune while out at sea.  He had even been stoned, and left for dead!  God brought him through all these trials and strengthened him by each one.  Paul is writing these words to encourage the Corinthians because he knew they would face trials as well.

 People love to give advice – whether you asked for it or not!  When you are going through a trial it’s most comforting to receive counsel from someone who has gone through the same situation as you.  They’ve been there, they know the perils of the situation, the inward turmoil that happens and how God was there helping them through. I found comfort in talking with other people who have been in the same shoes.  They blessed me with insight from their past experience, and their unwavering faith during the situation. I was comforted as I talked with those who like myself had been caregivers for their parents as they fought cancer.  Little did I know that just a year later I would be the one giving counsel to a dear friend whose parent was fighting cancer.     

When we go through trials it develops empathy within us to be able to understand what others are going through when they face similar trials.  Our trials are not in vain – they are meant to be growing experiences so that we can help others through their trials.  They find encouragement by our ability to endure, and, with God’s help, they too feel like they will make it through.  It is a beautiful picture of building one another up in the Lord and encouraging one another.  One might say that going through a trial can become a blessing in disguise.

For Reflection:

Have you been able to encourage someone who is facing a challenge that you had to face?                    

How did God help you and how might you seek to help others in the same situation?

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In Need of Comfort?

2 Corinthians 1

2 Corinthians 1 3 4

A teddy bear, a hug from a friend, macaroni and cheese, a cup of tea – where do you turn to find comfort?  Any of these might work after a tough day when you are looking for a bit of comfort.  But what about if you have had a tough month, or maybe even a difficult season or a year of trials?

Paul is a man who chose to live all out for God, His Son Jesus, the Church, and the Coming Kingdom – and that meant some very difficult seasons and years of trials.  Persecution, being stoned and left for dead, a continuing health problem, jailed multiple times, and much more.  In the opening chapter of his 2nd (preserved) letter to the church in Corinth Paul says, “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia.  We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.  Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But, this happened so that we might not rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” (vs. 8-9).  Remember that 58 verse Resurrection Chapter in his previous letter to the same church – this is why it is so important to Paul – it is his hope – his comfort – what keeps him going even through a long difficult season – the God who raises the dead.  He is worthy of being relied upon.

I love the list of descriptions Paul gives of God in 2 Corinthians 1:3. God is worthy of our praise.  God is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God is the Father of compassion.  He is the God of all comfort.

He IS the God of ALL comfort.

If you find yourself in need of some comfort – turn to God.  He is the God of all comfort.

Too many times, instead, God is blamed for tough times and people turn away from Him.  He didn’t heal our loved one.  He didn’t help me get that dream job.  I flunked my math test.  My marriage (or my parents’ marriage) ended in divorce.  He could have stopped it.  He could have fixed it.  But He didn’t and it hurts.  So, I will turn from Him.  And the hurt festers and grows.

How much more comfort is there in turning TO God, even in the hurt.  The Creator God who made us. The God of compassion.  NOT the God of a perfect life filled with sunshine and lollipops.  But the God who is always present, always listening, always strong enough to comfort us in our tears or distress.  The God who loved us enough to let His Son die for our sins so we could draw near to Him.  The God who raises the dead.  The God who will send His Son to Earth again.  The God who is creating a coming kingdom greater than anything we can imagine.  This wise, loving, all-knowing, all-powerful God who reveals Himself in His Word.

If you are in need of comfort – look in His Word to find the God of all comfort.  Not sure where to start – how about with a collection of Bible verses called Father’s Love Letter.  There are video, audio, and printable copies at https://www.fathersloveletter.com/.  But, that’s just a start.  Grab your teddy bear and bowl of mac and cheese or cup of tea and open up His Word and find Him there.

And, not just for your own comfort – so that you then can be a comfort to others by sharing the God of comfort with others in distress.

“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 receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3,4

 

May You Be Comforted,

Marcia Railton