Christian Living

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2 Corinthians 1:4 - 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.

Many think that when God comforts us, our troubles should go away. If that was so, people would turn to God only out of a desire to be relieved of pain not out of love for him. We must understand that being comforted can also mean receiving strength, encouragement, and hope to deal with our troubles. The more we suffer the more comfort God gives us. God comforts us in our troubles, then asks us to share that comfort with others. Remember we cannot give away what we don’t possess. We are to pass on to others the comfort God has provided to us.

The word “tribulation” means to be weighed down exceedingly; to be pressed and crushed. It is the picture of a beast of burden being crushed beneath a load that is just too heavy. It is the picture of a person having a heavy weight placed on his breast and being pressed and crushed to the point they feel they are going to die.

The word “us” does not refer to just the Apostle Paul and his own trials and sufferings. But it refers to ours as well. God comforts all believers. HE does not have favorites; his mercies and comforts are for everyone. HE comforts us in “all” not just a few of our trials and sufferings. We do not have to bear a single trial or moment of suffering by ourselves. Our Father is not off in the distance and removed from us. He is right her with us to comfort us in all our sufferings. Isa 40:1 “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.”

•God’s purpose in comforting us is to make us a testimony to others
•God carries us through trials so we can carry others trials
•God strengthens us so we can strengthen others
•God helps us so we can help others
•God encourages us so we can encourage others

God expects us to suffer with the right attitude, to allow Him to share His comfort with us. How can a person share the comfort of God unless he has suffered and experienced the comfort of God? Believers are not to become bitter, discouraged or apathetic. A word to my strong brothers and sisters: Your season of suffering may not necessarily be about you. Joseph experienced tremendous suffering for many years of his life. When he finally saw his brothers again, he told them what you meant for evil; God meant it for good, to preserve the lives of many people. Ps 34:19 “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” God Loves you and so do I. Pastor Tammy

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