comfort & purpose in pain

2 Corinthians 1:3-5
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. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

The God of all comfort can sympathize with our struggles, weaknesses and loss because He too suffered. "We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses but we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet is without sin," (Hebrews 4:14). Furthermore, "though He (Christ) was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered," (Hebrews 5:8). God set out on a journey two thousand years ago to fully sympathize with and bear our pain that He may provide mercy and comfort to meet us in our time of need, (Heb. 4:16). We are not alone in our pain.

The loss, pain, struggles and trials that we face bind us together with Christ and in Christ. In other words, I am one with Jesus and I am one with my fellow man. And in these trials, I can find comfort from the one who also sought comfort (Matt. 26:39 & 27:46). I can find mercy and peace from the One who has overcome the world (John 16:33). I am ministered to by the truths of Christ's suffering and the purpose for which He suffered, my salvation.

Furthermore, in these trials, I can find purpose and meaning through a personal ministry of comfort toward others who are struggling as well. By extending the truths of Christ and His suffering I can bring meaning to my loss and purpose to my pain; the salvation of my brother or sister. Yet, when I refuse to use my circumstances and situations as a ministry to others, I refuse the great meaning which God intended for my pain. My pain becomes pointless.

May God grant us all a ministry of comfort this season as we remember the journey of Jesus Christ to fully identify with our pain and bring us so great a salvation. Amen