“For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” — 2 Corinthians 1:5

A picture went viral of a professional soccer player, Carson Pickett of the Orlando Pride, laughing with a 21-month-old fan as a result of their unique bond: Both were born without a left forearm and hand. Pickett said she wants to use her platform to change how people view those who are born without limbs.

“Pictures mean a lot so hopefully when he gets older, he can see that and feel even more of what it means,” Pickett said of the young fan. “I have the ability to impact a lot of people. My parents tell me all the time to use the platform God gave me. I can use my arm for something greater than myself. I’m able to impact so many kids and people who may not see a way out. It doesn’t have to impact them through soccer. To see that I am succeeding in life and happy in life can go a long way for some people.”

One of God’s purposes in the afflictions of Christians is that they would experience direct, personal comfort from God, and then from that experience be able to minister God’s comfort to others. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, Paul encourages believers to make room for this kind of redemption in their difficulties.

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. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

The words “all comfort” in this passage come from the ancient Greek word paraklesis. The idea behind this biblical word is more than soothing sympathy; it has the idea of strengthening, of helping, of making strong. The Latin word for “comfort” (fortis) also means “brave.”

Comfort is the overall disposition that comes from resting in God’s sovereign and loving rule as manifested in Christ’s lordship (Isaiah 40:1). The affliction referred to in this passage can imply both outward circumstances (2 Corinthians 4:17; 6:4; 8:2) and inward battles (2 Corinthians 2:4; 7:4–5). Paul’s affliction was so severe at times that it felt like a “death sentence” had been decreed against him by some cosmic magistrate (2 Corinthians 1:7-10). Yet his hope remained “unshaken” even though his opponents held that his sufferings disqualified him as an apostle. Conversely, Paul maintains that his sufferings are the means God uses to strengthen other believers. This kind of “hope”—the consequence and expression of biblical faith—is not mere wishful thinking; it is a reasonable confidence in God’s promises for the future based on His faithfulness in the past.

God has a pretty good track record and Paul gets it. God uses our afflictions to let us identify with others as we bring them the same comfort God has given us in our time of suffering. Though it might at times feel like a death sentence, the tension leads us to “rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.”

Sometimes just having one person who identifies with our situation can make all the difference in the world. It’s the same with all of those who are hurting around us. Our afflictions give us “street cred” so to speak – not necessarily to have all the answers, but to simply be a present comfort in difficult times.

Think about all the things that God has faithfully brought you through in the entirety of your lifetime. Consider that God will never waste one ounce of any of that—your affliction, pain, suffering, weaknesses, failures, feelings of inadequacy, or those perceived death sentences. It’s in all of these that we lean more weightily into the sufficiency of His grace, and that grace which is perfected in our weakness, turns all of our struggle into opportunities for us to identify with others experiencing similar challenges in life.

Just like we are blessed to be a blessing, we are comforted to bring comfort. Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week

PRAYER

Father of mercies and God of all comfort, thank you for never failing us in times of affliction. Your track record is flawless. Though human companions have oftentimes failed us, You have never abandoned us or left us to ourselves. Thank you for the comfort You give in troubled times. Holy Spirit, teach us how to bring comfort to others from that same measure of comfort we have received from You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions for Reflection, Small Group or Family Discussion:

1. How do you normally react to hardship or suffering? Why do people sometimes blame God for difficult circumstances?
2. When and how has God comforted you in a season of affliction?
3. Why do you think Paul began 2 Corinthians by praising God? What might that tell us about everything else he writes?
4. How did Paul’s confidence in God enable him to rise above his despair?
5. What can you do this week to demonstrate love and comfort for a friend who is suffering?

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The post Without Limbs: Comforted to Be a Comfort appeared first on Jimmy Larche.