“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 affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV
Reflection: why does God have to “comfort” His children? Wouldn’t it be better to just remove the suffering?
The other day, our little 6mo old grandson was wanting to crawl a couple of feet to get to a toy. Now, he has recently figured out how to crawl, but this time he just stood still looking at the massive 2ft challenge ahead of him. And instead of taking one step forward, he just fell down, planting his face in the blanket below, and started crying. The 2ft seemed just so overwhelming to him, and he just didn’t know if he could make that.
What he didn’t realize was that his dad was laying down next to him, to watch him crawl. But instead of just bailing him out, his dad first comforted him for a while, then lifted him back up again to crawl, and encouraged him to keep going. Of course, as adults, we understand the importance of the process of learning, that it takes some amount of struggle and persistence to learn anything. That you cannot just be bailed out if you are to learn something new. And in addition, in the case of my grandson, his dad needed to have patience with him. To watch him so that he could comfort him when he failed, and encourage him when he was struggling to move forward.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians ““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 affliction,” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4a ESV. Many of us can probably associate with the Corinthian church, going through difficult things in this life. Affliction is defined as “persistent pain, distress”, or “great suffering”. That certainly doesn’t sound very appealing. And it might make us wonder why God allows this. As God’s children, why do we having to suffer? Why can’t our Father God just remove all this pain and suffering? All evil around us? It’s a strange thing, when you start thinking about it, that an almighty God chooses to comfort his children, as opposed to just removing us from the struggle. Removing the difficulties and evil from His children’s lives, right?
Or, is there a bigger purpose for the suffering?
Paul adds “For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” 2 Corinthians 1:5 ESV. Wow. We are actually able to share in Christ’s suffering. And, with the same measure, we will receive comfort. Now that puts a very different light on what we are going through, right? Jesus, our Lord, suffered for us, ultimately giving even his own life as a sacrifice for our sins, to purchase our freedom. The Bible tells us of the epic battle that has been going on since the fall, and the victory that Jesus Christ has won through his death and resurrection. And we, with Christ, get to participate in the battle, in the suffering with the King of kings himself. In fighting to restore the kingdom of heaven, to win souls for God. To be a light to the world, as Jesus was, and help bring people to the knowledge of the truth. And as we battle the enemy here, especially as we get to be mighty warriors, we will face bigger and bigger opposition. Bigger victories. We might meet more affliction, as the early church did. But God promises to also give us more comfort.
I want to circle back to my grandson again for a moment. Because just as his dad was comforting and encouraging him, to help him first to become an expert “crawler”, so that he eventually can learn how to walk and run, our Heavenly Father is also with us. He is not necessarily removing the struggle, what might be suffering in the moment. Why? Because he wants us to learn, to become strong. To become mighty warriors in His kingdom. He will, however, comfort and encourage us along the way. Because He is a loving Father, and He is choosing to advance His kingdom through us. And, did you notice that we too can resemble Him in the way of comfort also? Paul writes “so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:4b ESV. The love of the God of comfort, flowing through us, to those around us. What an honor, to be able to comfort others, as our Father does!
We might only be at the point of our grandson trying to crawl as a Christian. Or perhaps very advanced in our spiritual journey. But regardless, what is ahead can feel pretty overwhelming, the struggles and suffering we are going through. But our Father God is there next to us, watching, comforting us when we fall on our faces, then helps us back up, and encourages us to keep going. Keep pushing forward. Because He is making warriors out of you and I. To make us part of His mighty army, of His kingdom.