“Just as we abundantly share in Christ’s sufferings, so also through Christ we abundantly participate in comfort. If we endure hardships, it is for your comfort and for your salvation, which is accomplished through enduring the same sufferings we suffer, and our hope for you is steadfast. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort and salvation, since we know that just as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort” (2 Corinthians, ch. 1, v. 5-7*).
Job poses a challenging question during his time of suffering: “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job, ch. 2, v. 10*). Even hardships have a place in God's plan.
We can find great comfort in the words of Apostle Paul regarding our loving God, 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, ch. 1, v. 2*). Consider the people we turn to when we feel hurt. We want someone who has experienced our pain, don’t we? A person who has walked the path we’re on or understands our suffering and can provide wise counsel. According to the apostle, going through the “valley of tears” prepares us to be a blessing and encouragement to those who must go through something similar later. What is necessary is to accept the misfortune that God has placed in our path and choose to learn from the situation.
God is the Master of our lives and He has the right to use us as comforters and encouragers to people within our sphere of influence. As His servants, we must be ready to accept whatever training is necessary to accomplish His will, which may include times of pain. Even in suffering, we can trust that the Lord loves us and has a plan for our lives.
Link to the original article: https://www.intouchuk.org/read/daily-devotions/how-comforters-are-created-2
* Biblical quotations are from the Bible, new translation from the original languages © Bulgarian Bible Society 2013