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Today's Pathway: II Corinthians 1:4-5 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.

Yesterday we saw from verse 4 that God offers us comfort in all the difficult situations of life. The next phrase in the verse is interesting. God gives us comfort, not just so we can withstand the pressure, but so that we can turn around and offer that same comfort to others who are struggling. One of the reasons that trials come in our lives is to prepare us to be able to help others when they are dealing with similar circumstances. How often have you heard someone say when they are going through a time of heartache, "You just don't understand"? But, when we have gone through those deep waters, and have come out safely on the other side by the mercy of God, we do understand, and we can help to strengthen others. Bruce Hurt wrote,

"Does this truth not give purpose to our suffering and affliction? Our suffering is not wasted, but enables us to comfort others who are suffering. The next time you endure affliction let this truth undergird your heart and mind and energize you to endure with Spirit-enabled patience, knowing that God is teaching you, growing you, and preparing you to be better able to comfort another brother or sister in their affliction."

How are we to comfort others? According to the end of verse 4, we do it with the same comfort that we have received from God. God comforts us through His Word and through the Holy Spirit. We can comfort others by lovingly sharing with them the principles of the Scriptures that helped us get through our crisis. We comfort others by having a "Holy Spirit ministry" in their lives: coming to their aid, encouraging them, and "guiding them into all truth". We also need to point those who are suffering to Jesus. In verse 5 Paul writes that he and other believers had an abundance of the sufferings of Christ. He writes in I Thessalonians 3:3-4,

"That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.".

"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (II Timothy 3:12).

"Because Paul’s sufferings were the sufferings of Christ, Jesus was not distant from Paul in his trials. He was right there, identifying with the apostle and comforting him. When sufferings abound, consolation also abounds. Jesus is there to bring comfort if we will receive it. God may allow situations in our life where our only consolation is found through Christ. Sometimes we think the only consolation is found in a change of circumstances, but God wants to console us right in the midst of our difficult circumstances, and to do it through Christ."

The author of Hebrews understood this principle when he wrote,

"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:14-16).